Neurotransmitters and neurotrophins collaborate to influence brain development

It is well recognized that the neurotrophin family of factors as well as ne urotransmitters play critical roles in the ontogeny of the brain. Moreover, a growing literature suggests that these environmental signals do not oper ate individually, but interact in critical ways to enhance maturation. This review focuses on three brain systems where this collaboration is particul arly evident: the cerebellum, the basal forebrain-hippocampus and locus coe ruleus-hippocampus. The material presented indicates that cross-talk betwee n neurotransmitters and neurotrophins may be a mechanism common to the deve lopment of multiple neuronal groups throughout the central nervous system. Moreover, this cross-talk appears to involve the interaction of both neuron al and glial cell populations.