Lessons from the worm: How the elderly can live an active life
Tuesday, September 3, 2013 - 12:50
in Biology & Nature
When the tiny roundworm C. elegans reaches middle age —- at about 2 weeks old -— it can't quite move like it did in the bloom of youth. But rather than imposing an exercise regimen to rebuild the worm's body-wall muscles, researchers can bring the wriggle back by stimulating the animal's neurons. And, they say, pharmaceuticals might have a similar effect in mammals.