Semaglutide study shows potential for increased longevity in mice

A study published in Nature, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, suggests that semaglutide may have anti-aging properties. The research focused on 20-month-old female mice, which are considered elderly in this animal model.

Researchers found that semaglutide improved various physiological functions, including muscle and cognitive performance, while reducing markers of biological decline such as chronic inflammation. In mice treated until the end of their natural lives, the drug increased average lifespan by nearly 100 days compared to untreated controls.

The study noted that semaglutide produced many of the same benefits as caloric restriction—a well-known method for slowing aging—but without the need for deliberate food reduction. In some areas, such as spatial memory and glucose control, the drug's effects were even more favorable than those of a restricted diet. Experts suggest these findings provide insight into why GLP-1 agonists may offer broader clinical benefits beyond weight loss and blood sugar management.