Drugs lengthen worm’s life span

A class of antiseizure drugs slows aging and increases life span in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans, researchers have found.

Because C. elegans has a naturally short life span—about 2 weeks, on average—scientists frequently use the species to explore aging. Previous studies have identified genetic modifications that can increase the worms’ life span. However, few studies have examined whether drugs might have a life-extending effect as well, says Kerry Kornfeld of the Washington University School of Medicine in St.