Abstract—NADP‐dependent isocitrate dehydrogenase is localized in both external and internal membranes and in the mitochondrial matrix from brains of adult and newborn animals. Electrophoretic studies indicate that the mitochondrial enzyme occurs in the form of two isoenzymes; the isoenzyme of the external membranes behaves similarly to that of the cytoplasm. Ischaemia in adult animals results in a decrease in enzyme specific activity, particularly in external membranes, while in the mitochondrial fraction of the newborn the activity of the enzyme increased.