Local cerebral glucose utilization (LCGU) was determined in 2- to 8-day-old beagle dogs by the quantitative 14C-deoxyglucose autoradiographic method. In physiologically controlled puppies (BP 66 +/- 3 mm Hg; paO2 71 +/- 2 mm Hg; paCO2 35 mm Hg, pH 7.39 +/- 0.04; hematocrit 39 +/- 2%), the 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) autoradiographs and quantitative data reveal a characteristic pattern of regional energy metabolic needs in the normal newborn brain: highest glucose consumption values are found in brain stem nuclei (inferior olivary nucleus 19 +/- 4 mumol/100 g/min; vestibular nucleus 26 +/- 5; red nucleus 15 +/- 2) and in selected deep cerebral structures (subthalamic nucleus 18 +/- 4; ventrolateral thalamic nucleus 12 +/- 2, ...) whereas consistently relative lower glucose consumption is found in the cerebral cortex (mean 7 +/- 1). This data is in agreement with local cerebral blood flow studies in the newborn puppy. A characteristic functional anatomy of the newborn dog brain is demonstrated. The value of 0.558 +/- 0.031 for the lumped constant was used in the calculation of LCGU. In puppies previously asphyxiated for 2.5-3.5 min 1-2 days prior to the 2-DG procedure, no significant effect upon regional metabolism was demonstrated.