In the human body, cell division and metabolism are expected to transpire uneventfully for approximately 25 years. Then, secondary metabolism and cell damage products accumulate, and ageing phenotypes are acquired, causing the progression of disease. Among these age-related diseases, neurodegenerative diseases have attracted considerable attention because of their irreversibility, the absence of effective treatment and their relationship with social and economic pressures. Mechanistic (formerly mammalian) target of rapamycin (mTOR), sirtuin (SIRT) and insulin/insulin growth factor 1 (IGF1) signalling pathways are among the most important pathways in ageing-associated conditions, such as neurodegeneration. These longevity-related pathways are associated with a diversity of various processes, including metabolism, cognition, stress reaction and brain plasticity. In this review, we discuss the roles of sirtuin and mTOR in ageing and neurodegeneration, with an emphasis on their regulation of autophagy, apoptosis and mitochondrial energy metabolism. The intervention of neurodegeneration using potential antioxidants, including vitamins, phytochemicals, resveratrol, herbals, curcumin, coenzyme Q10 and minerals, specifically aimed at retaining mitochondrial function in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease is highlighted.

在人体中，细胞分裂和新陈代谢有望在大约25年内平稳进行。然后，次级代谢和细胞损伤产物积聚，并获得衰老表型，导致疾病进展。在这些与年龄有关的疾病中，神经退行性疾病由于其不可逆性，缺乏有效的治疗方法以及与社会和经济压力的关系而备受关注。雷帕霉素（mTOR），瑟土因（SIRT）和胰岛素/胰岛素生长因子1（IGF1）信号转导的机制靶标是与衰老相关的疾病（例如神经变性）中最重要的通路。这些与寿命相关的途径与各种过程的多样性相关，包括新陈代谢，认知，压力反应和大脑可塑性。在这篇综述中，我们讨论了Sirtuin和mTOR在衰老和神经退行性变中的作用，重点是它们对自噬，细胞凋亡和线粒体能量代谢的调节。着重指出了使用潜在的抗氧化剂对神经变性的干预，包括维生素，植物化学物质，白藜芦醇，草药，姜黄素，辅酶Q10和矿物质，这些物质专门用于保持线粒体功能，以治疗阿尔茨海默氏病，帕金森氏病和亨廷顿氏病。