The effect of two doses of clonidine on regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose were measured during morphine withdrawal in rats. In the first study, 0 or 200 micrograms/kg clonidine was administered to rats subjected to naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal (naloxone, 0.5 mg/kg, s.c.), and to non-dependent control rats. In a second study of similar design, 0 or 20 micrograms/kg clonidine were administered. Withdrawal signs in rats subjected to naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal and receiving 0, 20 or 200 micrograms/kg clonidine were also assessed. Naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal stimulated regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (59 of 83 regions in study no. 1; 73 of 83 regions in study no. 2). At 200 micrograms/kg, clonidine attenuated this effect (33 of 59 regions). Although 200 micrograms/kg clonidine directly suppressed regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose in many regions (significant main effect of clonidine), it attenuated the naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal effect specifically in the lateral septal nucleus, medial habenula, subiculum and gracile nucleus (significant interactions between clonidine and morphine withdrawal). The 20 micrograms/kg dose of clonidine had no statistically significant effect. In behavioral experiments, both doses of clonidine diminished withdrawal in that there was no diarrhea, fewer wet-dog shakes and less abnormal posturing. However, locomotion, grooming and jumping were increased by clonidine. Most of these effects were statistically significant only with the 200 micrograms/kg dose. The results of these studies show that clonidine reduces morphine withdrawal-induced increases in regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose in many brain regions, irrespective of the distribution of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Although clonidine has been thought to ameliorate morphine withdrawal by actions primarily at the locus coeruleus and central amygdala, it may play a major role in other regions as well.