Chilled worms live longer

[Marco]

Scientists combining studies in humans, mice and nematode worms suggest that levels of neural excitation modulate longevity in all species and also connects with insulin metabolism.

Regulation of lifespan by neural excitation and REST

The mechanisms that extend lifespan in humans are poorly understood. Here we show that extended longevity in humans is associated with a distinct transcriptome signature in the cerebral cortex that is characterized by downregulation of genes related to neural excitation and synaptic function

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-019-1647-8

Related articles :

Science Daily

"An intriguing aspect of our findings is that something as transient as the activity state of neural circuits could have such far-ranging consequences for physiology and life span,"

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/10/191016131224.htm

and for a lighter read :

The Scientist

His group found that the neurons of older worms tended to have faster firing rates than those of younger worms, but that, in a mutant worm with dramatically increased lifespan, neuronal activity was “almost silent,” says Yankner. “It was the mellowest worm you could imagine.”

https://www.the-scientist.com/news-...l-activity-shortens-lifespan-in-animals-66577