DEVELOPMENT OF SEROTONERGIC NEURONS AND THEIR PROJECTIONS

Neurons producing serotonin are among the earliest to be born in the d eveloping central nervous system. These I-ells are largely restricted to the hindbrain, where they form primarily in ventral regions. This r eview describes some of the mechanisms that regulate patterning and di fferentiation of the embryonic brain, which are implicated in neurogen esis of serotonergic neurons. IT also covers the development of seroto nergic axon pathways and the potential role of serotonin in regulating developmental processes. (C) 1998 Society of Biological Psychiatry.