SummaryContinuous intravenous infusion of the short‐chain fatty acid octanoate into rabbits results in significant increases in intracranial pressure by 2 hr of infusion. Pressure waves are also observed. Muscular paralysis has a protective effect on in tracranial pressure. This study has potential implications for the better understanding and more effective treatment of Reye's syndrome.SpeculationIntravenous infusion of sodium octanoate in rabbits produces an experimental model of Reye's syndrome, including elevated intracranial pressure. This model will be useful to test new therapeutic modalities for control of intracranial pressure in this disorder.