In the 1950s, Clive McCay of Cornell University and his colleagues used parabiosis to explore aging. They joined young and old rats, stitching together their flanks so that the capillaries in their skin merged. Later, Dr. McCay and his colleagues examined the cartilage in the old rats and concluded it looked younger. They found the muscles and brains of old mice were rejuvenated, while younger mice showed signs of accelerated aging. The researchers not only found that the old mice lived longer, but also that the course of their aging appeared to change.

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Persons: Clive McCay, McCay, parabiosis, . White Organizations: Cornell University, Drug Administration