Estimation of metabolic water production in human and rat brain and spinal cord

Key Points

• Metabolic water production was estimated to be notably different between human and rat brains, indicating species-specific metabolic processes.
• Fifteen hydration-related metrics were evaluated, revealing that rat spinal cords produce approximately 20% more metabolic water than humans.
• Observational analysis used established biochemical pathways to focus on metabolic water production rates in both species' central nervous systems.
• This finding highlights the importance of understanding metabolic processes, potentially informing treatments for central nervous system disorders.