Development of serotonergic neurons and their projections

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