The effect of concussion on 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake by various regions of rat brain was investigated. The relative uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose was measured at 10 and 20 min post-concussion. The uptake did not change significantly from control rats at 20 min post-concussion. This may be reflective of transient nature of concussion. The uptake was higher in cortex and lower in subcortical structures at 10 min post-concussion. These changes are similar to those reported in spreading cortical depression. Spreading cortical depression may thus be a component of concussion mechanism.