Local cerebral glucose utilization in Long-Evans and Brattleboro rats during acute dehydration.

The quantitative autoradiographic deoxyglucose method was used to study the effects of acute dehydration on local cerebral glucose utilization in Long-Evans and homozygous Brattleboro rats. Water-sated Brattleboro rats had high rates of glucose utilization in the subfornical organ, habenular complex, septal triangular nucleus and pituitary neural lobe. Deprivation of water for 16-18 h enhanced glucose utilization in these structures, more intensely in the Brattleboro rats, and activated others, particularly those connected to the subfornical organ. In Long-Evans rats, water deprivation increased metabolic activity in the subfornical organ, in several structures with which it is connected, and in other brain regions putatively involved in maintaining fluid balance.