1. Sokoloff L et al (1977) The
    [14C]deoxyglucose method
    for the measurement of
    local cerebral glucose
    utilization: theory, procedure,
    and normal values in the
    conscious and anesthetized
    albino rat.
  2. Freo U et al. (2000) Effects
    of acute and chronic
    treatment with fluoxetine on
    regional glucose cerebral
    metabolism in rats:
    implications for clinical
    therapies.
  3. Landau WM et al (1955) The
    local circulation of the living
    brain; values in the
    unanesthetized and
    anesthetized cat.
  4. Craigie EH (1920). On the
    relative vascularity of various
    parts of the central nervous
    system of the albino rat.
  5. Craigie EH (1938).
    Vascularity in the brain of
    the frog (Rana Pipiens).
  6. Fisch L (1970) The selective
    and differential vulnerability
    of the auditory system.
Autoradiographic measurement of glucose uptake
began with the research of Sokoloff et al. (1977), and
deserves special attention for demonstrating the
importance of the auditory system within the brain [1].  
The inferior colliculus has repeatedly been shown to
have the highest rate of aerobic metabolism in the
brain.  Values for uptake in the inferior colliculus are
often used as reference points for comparison with
changes in uptake in other brain areas in response to
pharmaceutical agents [2].

The method for glucose uptake was based on the
earlier technique for determining rates of blood flow in
different anatomic structures of the brain [3].  Earlier
still Craigie (1920, 1938) had used India ink injections
to visualize blood vessels and found the greatest
number of capillaries in the brain to be in the cochlear
nucleus and other structures of the auditory pathway
[4, 5].  The finding of highest blood flow in the inferior
colliculus came as such a surprise to Landau et al.
(1955) that they repeated their experiments and
confirmed this result with deafened cats.

Fisch (1970) pointed out the findings of Craigie after
Landau et al. reported cerebral circulation to be
highest in the inferior colliculus, and he questioned
why discovery of the highest blood flow rate in the
auditory system should be viewed as so surprising [6].  
Fisch called attention to something we tend to take for
granted, that it is the auditory sense that keeps us
most continuously in touch with our environment, even
while we sleep.  Components of the auditory system
should therefore be expected to have a priority
demand for plentiful blood supply, rapid circulatory
rate, and high metabolic activity.  The auditory system
provides a vigilance function for the rest of the brain.
References
  1. Sokoloff L, Reivich M, Kennedy C, Des Rosiers MH, Patlak CS, Pettigrew KD, Sakurada
    O, Shinohara M (1977) The [14C]deoxyglucose method for the measurement of local
    cerebral glucose utilization: theory, procedure, and normal values in the conscious and
    anesthetized albino rat. Journal of Neurochemistry 28:897-916.
  2. Freo U, Ori C, Dam M, Merico A, Pizzolato G. (2000) Effects of acute and chronic
    treatment with fluoxetine on regional glucose cerebral metabolism in rats: implications
    for clinical therapies. Brain Research. 854:35-41.
  3. Landau WM, Freygang WH, Rowland LP, Sokoloff L, Kety SS (1955) The local circulation
    of the living brain; values in the unanesthetized and anesthetized cat.  Transactions of
    the American Neurological Association 1955-1956;(80th Meeting):125-129.
  4. Craigie EH (1920). On the relative vascularity of various parts of the central nervous
    system of the albino rat.  Journal of Comparative Neurology, 31, 429-464.
  5. Craigie EH (1938). Vascularity in the brain of the frog (Rana Pipiens).  Journal of
    Comparative Neurology, 69, 453-479.
  6. Fisch L (1970) The selective and differential vulnerability of the auditory system.  In GEW
    Wolstenholm and J Knight, (Eds), Sensorineural Hearing Loss:  A Ciba Foundation
    Symposium (pp 101-116). London: Churchill.
Full References
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2 – Research with radio-isotope tracers