A glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist prescribed to help people manage obesity and type 2 diabetes extended the lifespan of older, healthy mice, according to a new study led by researchers in UC Berkeley’s Department of Metabolic Biology & Nutrition.

In one inbred strain of laboratory mice, late-life treatment with a GLP-1 drug extends lifespan. This effect might be more than just a consequence of calorie restriction.

Older female mice given an anti-obesity medication lived longer and in better health than did mice not taking one.