As we get older, the brain changes physically. It begins to shrink in size after the age of 40 and especially after the age of 70. The prefrontal cortex – associated with cognitive function – is particularly susceptible to shrinkage. The volume of both white and gray matter is reduced in elderly individuals. With increasing age, there are reductions in the levels of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin [Mantle 2021].

Ageing Brain More Vulnerable to Oxidative Stress
Moreover, increasing age is associated with mitochondrial dysfunctionMitochondrial dysfunction is the loss of efficiency in the process of ATP energy production. As such, mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in the ageing process and in virtually all chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential component in the mitochondrial production of ATP energy. More in the brain tissue cells. The mitochondrial dysfunctionMitochondrial dysfunction is the loss of efficiency in the process of ATP energy production. As such, mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in the ageing process and in virtually all chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, and neurodegenerative diseases. Coenzyme Q10 is an essential component in the mitochondrial production of ATP energy. More is characterized by 1) reduced ATPATP (adenosine triphosphate) molecules are the high-energy molecules with easily broken phosphate bonds that release energy to the energy-requiring processes in the cells. Coenzyme Q10 is essential to the process of ATP production. More energy production and 2) increased generation of harmful free radicalsFree radicals are unstable and highly reactive molecules that are produced in the body during normal oxygen metabolism. Free radicals derived from oxygen are known as reactive oxygen species. Free radicals play both helpful and harmful roles in the body. Free radicals steal electrons from other substances in order to become stable. In so doing, the free radicals oxidize those... More. The resulting oxidative stress has been associated with normal ageing processes and with the development of neurodegenerative diseases [Mantle 2021].