In vivo measurement of energy metabolism and the concomitant monitoring of electroencephalogram in experimental cerebral ischemia.

The energy metabolites in rat brain in vivo were measured by using topical magnetic resonance (TMR) during the whole course of ischemia, in combination with the concomitant monitoring of electroencephalogram (EEG). Immediate loss of high energy phosphorus compounds, phosphocreatine (PCr) and ATP, resulted in the flattening of EEG after the induction of ischemia. PCr and ATP returned to almost normal level 30 min after recirculation of the ischemic brain, but EEG showed no recovery and the abnormality lasted for 12 h. The measurement of in vivo 31P-NMR is essential for the decision of the convalescence of cellular function in the brain.