Brain 31P NMR spectroscopy in the conscious rat

Using a home-built head-body holder (HBH) which enables in vivo 31P NMR spectroscopy measurements on conscious rats, no significant changes were observed in the cerebral relative concentrations of ATP, phosphocreatine, phosphomonoesters, inorganic phosphate and intracellular pH during pentobarbital anesthesia in normal rats as compared to their conscious state.