Progenitors and Precursors of Neurons and Glial Cells

Abstract

The central nervous system is an orderly, highly complicated structure comprising neurons and glia. These cells trace back to neuroepithelial stem cells of the ventricular zone. The creation of differentiated neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes and their progenitors/precursors proceeds through extensive phases of proliferation, lineage specification, and long distance migration. This chapter briefly summarizes the current knowledge about these milestones in the developing central nervous system.