The Effect of Induced Hypothermia Upon Oxygen Consumption in the Rat Brain

The effect of hypothermia upon cerebral metabolic rate for oxygen (CMR O2 ) was studied in artificially ventilated rats, anaesthetized with nitrous oxide. Cerebral blood flow was measured with a modification of the Kety and Schmidt technique using 133 xenon. CMR O2 , was found to decrease linearily with temperature in the temperature range 37°C‐22°C. At normal temperatures CMR O2 , fell by about 5 per cent per degree C. At a body temperature of 22°C both cerebral blood flow and CMR O2 , were reduced to about 25 per cent of normal.