24-year-old man dies: ‘Brain of a 70-year-old in his 20s’ – what is early-onset dementia? [Health Talk]

In the United Kingdom, a 24-year-old man known as the country’s ‘youngest dementia patient’ has died. Although he was in his early 20s, his brain is reported to have looked no different from that of a 70-year-old.
British tabloid The Sun and other foreign media reported that Andre Yaham, who lived in Dereham, Norfolk, passed away on the 27th of last month in a hospice ward. The first signs that something was wrong appeared in 2022. His family recalled that he gradually became quieter and slower in his movements, often staring blankly during conversations or failing to respond. He also showed signs of memory loss, but because he was only in his early 20s, it was difficult for those around him to suspect a serious illness.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed that Yaham’s brain had shrunk to a level comparable to that of a 70-year-old. Just a month before his 23rd birthday, he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). FTD is a neurodegenerative disease in which the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain are primarily damaged, and protein mutations are considered a major cause. His condition deteriorated rapidly, and his mother, Sam Fairbairn, gave up her job to care for him. She had to help with every aspect of daily life, including bathing, getting dressed and preparing meals. Over time, even basic actions such as holding a cup or feeding himself became difficult for Yaham, and he eventually developed gait disturbances.
During the last six months of his life, his symptoms worsened dramatically. He completely lost his ability to speak and could only make sounds, and his physical activity declined sharply. He was eventually moved into a care facility, but within a month of admission he had become dependent on a wheelchair.
His condition became even more critical after he was hospitalized last month with signs of infection. Fairbairn said that at that point Yaham no longer recognized even his own family. He stopped eating and refused to drink fluids, and doctors informed the family that he was nearing the end of his life. Transferred to a hospice soon afterward, Yaham died roughly a week later.

In life, he had been an ordinary young man who enjoyed wrestling, rugby, football and video games. He also worked for the luxury car brand Lotus Cars. However, as his illness progressed, he became unable to perform his duties and had to resign just six months after joining the company. At the time, he reportedly could not properly explain the physical changes he was experiencing.
The bereaved family decided to donate Yaham’s brain to the medical community to support research into dementia in younger people. Fairbairn stressed, “There needs to be greater public awareness that frontotemporal dementia can occur at a young age and that its symptoms and course can vary widely.” She added that anyone concerned about memory loss or changes in behavior should seek evaluation from a specialist, regardless of age.
Dementia is commonly regarded as a disease of old age, but cases that begin in a person’s 20s are medically explainable. Such cases are classified separately from typical late-onset dementia as ‘early-onset dementia’ or ‘very early-onset dementia.’ Onset before the age of 30 is extremely rare, but there are clinical reports of cases caused by genetic factors or underlying neurodegenerative diseases.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is cited as the main underlying condition. Unlike Alzheimer’s disease (AD), in which memory loss is the primary symptom, FTD is characterized by early personality changes, abnormal behavior and a decline in language abilities. FTD accounts for about 5–10% of all dementia cases, but among patients with early-onset dementia in their 20s to 40s, it is known to be the most common cause.
The problem is that dementia symptoms in people in their 20s are easily mistaken for simple forgetfulness or psychiatric disorders. Many early-onset dementia patients are initially misdiagnosed with depression, burnout or personality disorders, and thus miss the optimal window for accurate diagnosis. However, if neurodegenerative changes are confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), cerebrospinal fluid analysis or genetic testing, a diagnosis of dementia can be made regardless of age.
At present, there is no treatment that can completely cure dementia in people in their 20s. Early diagnosis, however, makes it possible to provide symptom-relieving therapies, establish care plans and offer genetic counseling. In addition, patients’ clinical data can serve as crucial evidence for the development of future treatments.
hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter