How an Elderly Worm can Live an Active Life

When iC. elegans/i, the tiny roundworm 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. Scientists at the University of Michigan's Life Sciences Institute and Medical ...