Scientists from the University of Michigan celebrated 4 years since his birth, which corresponds to 136 human years. Finding the chemicals responsible for mouse aging will contribute to postponing human health problems by 20 years
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These days, scientists are celebrating the birthday of the oldest mouse in the world - a dwarf mouse named Yoda, who turned four on Saturday, an age equivalent to 136 human years. The average lifespan of laboratory mice is a little over two years. Some mice reached almost five years of age, but Yoda is the first mouse whose food is unlimited in calories.
"It would surprise me if he lived beyond another six months, but we can hope," said Dr. Richard Miller, deputy director of the Geriatric Center at the University of Michigan Medical School, where Yoda grew up. "We don't want to do him a disservice. A 90- or 100-year-old person only has about an extra year of time," he added.
Dwarf mice often need the constant company of a larger mouse. According to Dr. Miller, without a "nursing mouse" to keep them warm, the dwarf mice freeze to death - but their size helps them avoid the diseases of old age until a very late stage. While an old mouse of another breed may develop arthritis or cancer, a dwarf mouse born at the same time may from the health of a middle-aged mouse.
Dr. Miller said that by examining the hormonal changes in dwarf mice, the scientists may be able to delay the aging process in humans as well. Or 60 years," he added.
For the news in the New York Times
