Mixed
Rapamycin extends murine lifespan but does not slow the rate of aging, as its effects on most aging phenotypes are aging-independent rather than protective against age-related decline.
This study in mice shows that while rapamycin extends lifespan, it does not significantly improve most markers of physical or cognitive aging. The benefits seen in some areas (like exploratory activity or memory) appear to be direct drug effects rather than a slowing of the aging process. Therefore, relying on rapamycin for 'healthy aging' in humans is not supported by this evidence, as lifespan extension may be driven by cancer suppression rather than general anti-aging mechanisms.
Therefore, our data largely dissociate rapamycin’s longevity effects from effects on aging itself.
Why this rating
Large-scale, comprehensive assessment of >150 phenotypes across >25 tissues in multiple cohorts.
Source
Rapamycin extends murine lifespan but has limited effects on aging
Frauke Neff et al. · Journal of Clinical Investigation · 2013
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