Rare childhood dementia: What parents need to know about progressive brain conditions

UK: A mother in the United Kingdom is facing a devastating battle to save her four-year-old son, who has been diagnosed with childhood dementia, a rare, degenerative condition that progressively destroys the brain. Tammy McDaid told the BBC that the next 12 months are critical for her son, Tate, who was initially diagnosed with autism at age two before doctors suspected something more serious.

According to various health reports, an MRI scan in March 2024 revealed unusual gaps in Tate’s brain, an early indicator of dementia. Further tests confirmed he has Sanfilippo Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the central nervous system and leads to severe cognitive and physical decline. There is no cure, and available treatments only help manage symptoms.

Sanfilippo Syndrome is often