—The effect of 4‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB) on cerebral glucose metabolism has been studied. GHB increases the glucose level, decreases the lactate concentration and diminishes the incorporation of glucose carbon into glutamic acid, glutamine, aspartic acid and GABA in the brain of the rat in a state of general anaesthesia. The data reported here suggest that GHB interferes in the metabolism of glucose in brain. Copyright © 1968, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved