Man, 24, dies with dementia as mother describes '70‑year‑old' brain

A 24-year-old man in Norfolk, England, diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in June 2024, died peacefully in his sleep on December 27; his mother has donated his brain and other tissue to researchers.

A 24-year-old man from Norfolk, England, died after a rapid course of frontotemporal dementia. His mother noticed changes in his behavior starting in late 2022 and he received an official diagnosis in June 2024. Doctors reported that his MRI showed frontal lobe shrinkage and that a tau gene mutation was identified. His condition progressed quickly and he entered end-of-life care before dying in late December. Reported facts: - He was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in June 2024 after MRI results showed frontal lobe shrinkage and clinicians reported a tau-related genetic mutation. - He died peacefully in his sleep on December 27 at a hospice in Norwich after a recent hospital admission for an infection and end-of-life care. - His mother has donated his brain, spinal cord and fluid to medical researchers; he was unable to make that decision himself. Summary: His family reports donating his tissue to researchers in the hope it will aid understanding of the condition. Further outcomes from that donation are undetermined at this time.