Studies on the linkage of energy metabolism and neuronal activity in the isolated perfused rat brain.

An isolated rat brain preparation was perfused using glucose-free (= aglycemic) media. The high-energy phosphates, substrates of the glycolytic pathway, free amino acids, acetylcholine as well as the intracellular distribution of hexokinase activity were determined in brain tissues. The EEG was evaluated visually. The levels of glycolytic substrates, glutamate, and glutamine in cortical tissue decreased after aglycemic perfusion whereas the asparte level increased and the GABA level remained unchanged. The high-energy phosphate content seemed to be unaffected for about 15 min of aglycemic perfusion and fell significantly after 20 min. The EEG of the isolated brain changed rapidly after starting aglycemic perfusion and became isoelectric after 12--15 min. Hyperglycemic perfusion (35 mmol glucose per liter perfusion medium) did not alter the energy metabolism of the isolated brain. The breakdown of cerebral energy metabolism and of EEG activity was postponed when thiopental was added to the perfusion medium. The soluble hexokinase activity measured in cortical tissue was reduced after aglycemic perfusion and was enhanced after thiopental. Hyperglycemic perfusion did not influence the intracellular hexokinase distribution. The acetylcholine level in the striatum of the isolated rat brain was significantly decreased by aglycemia and was increased in hypothalamus by thiopental. It was suggested that hexokinase bound to the mitochondrial membrane may play an important role in the relationship of energy metabolism and neuronal activity.