Reduced insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) extends health and lifespan in mammals. Loss of IRS1 increases survival in mice, but the tissues responsible for this effect are unknown. Tissue-specific loss of IRS1 did not increase survival, but lack of IRS1 in more than one tissue is required for lifespan extension. Loss of IRS1 in liver, muscle, and fat did not improve health. However, loss of neuronal IRS1 increased energy expenditure, locomotion, and insulin sensitivity in old male mice. Therefore, this brain signature of aging in response to reduced IIS was associated with improved health at old age in male mice.