In 50 separate experiments, isolated canine brain preparations were subjected to 15 or 30 min of either PaO2 30 mmHg or PaO2 40 mmHg perfusion followed by up to 60 min of reoxygenation at a normal PaO2. The cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRGlu) increased 70-80% after 2 min of hypoxia but then returned to nearly the normal rate by the end of the 30-min period of hypoxia. Glycolytic flux appeared to be facilitated in both groups initially but was inhibited as the hypoxic period continued. This slowing of glycolysis after 15 or 30 min of hypoxia appears to be modulated by the regulatory enzyme phosphofructokinase. Glucose equivalents metabolized, based on CMRGlu plus brain glucose and glycogen disappearance, far exceed the glucose equivalents that can be accounted for on the basis of oxygen utilization and brain lactate formation. Thus, during hypoxia, some of the glucose equivalents must be utilized for synthesis of other metabolites. The glycolytic intermediates returned to normal after reoxygenation in the PaO2 40 mmHg preparations, but the PaO2 30 mmHg preparations continued to show evidence of decreased glycolysis and a lingering lactacidosis. Although posthypoxic oxygen uptake was sufficient to oxidize all glucose entering the brain, there was no significant release of accumulated lactate into the blood. Thus, the decrease in brain tissue lactate must have been the result of lactate oxidation. A significant amount of the glucose entering the brain during the posthypoxic period appears to be used for metabolite synthesis rather than energy production.