Rats aged from 2 to 4 mth were given phenacetin 100 mg/kg/day and 1-14 g/kg/day, orally, for up to 26 1/2 wk and 3 wk, respectively. Signs of premature ageing such as senile plagues, neurofibrillary tangles and lipofucsin pigment were not demonstrated in the brains of these animals.