A 24-year-old man who died of dementia just after Christmas has left his brain to help researchers understand the rare condition that claimed his life. Andre Yarham was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia just before his 23rd birthday after initially being told he had autism.

His mother Sam Fairbairn had noticed worrying changes in his behaviour, including talking less, losing interest in things and no longer wanting to go to work for sports car brand Lotus. After being sceptical about the original diagnosis, she took him to a specialist and an MRI confirmed he had dementia. HIs brain resembled that of a 70-year-old man.

The disorder left him mute, and Sam had to give up work to become his full-time carer. He later began to attend The Maltings care home, in Fakenham, Norfolk, where staff paid tribute to his warmth, energy, wit and character.

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