CoQ10 Levels and Dementia Risk (Atherosclerosis, 2014)

A case-controlled study published in Atherosclerosis (2014 Dec;237(2):400–403) explored whether blood levels of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were linked with the later development of dementia.

Researchers analyzed data from 6,000 Japanese adults, ages 40–69 at baseline. Serum CoQ10 was measured in:

  • 65 individuals who later developed disabling dementia (between 1999–2004)

  • 130 matched controls (matched for age, sex, and baseline year)

Key Finding

Individuals with higher serum CoQ10 levels were less likely to develop disabling dementia. In other words, CoQ10 status showed an inverse association with dementia risk.

What This Means 

This is observational research, so it cannot prove that CoQ10 prevents dementia. But it suggests a relationship worth exploring because CoQ10 is involved in:

  • Mitochondrial energy production

  • Antioxidant defenses

  • Cellular resilience—particularly relevant to brain tissue

The study supports the growing interest in mitochondrial health and cognitive aging, and aligns with other research exploring CoQ10 in neurodegenerative conditions.