title: Roles for neurotransmitters in development: possible interaction with drugs during the fetal and neonatal periods.
abstract: In conclusion, a variety of experimental evidence suggests roles for serotonin and the catecholamine neurotransmitters in key phases of nervous system development, such as neural-tube formation, proliferation of neuronal precursor cells, and gliogenesis. This raises the possibility that psychoactive drugs of use and abuse which act via these neurotransmitters could, if taken by a woman at an appropriate stage of pregnancy, influence the developing embryonic nervous system by interfering with the synthesis, uptake, or metabolism of these compounds during critical periods of neural ontogeny.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Lauder
mesh_terms: D000014:Abnormalities, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009024:Morphogenesis; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology* / Q000254:growth & development; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012701:Serotonin / Q000502:physiology; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D012702:Serotonin Antagonists; D012701:Serotonin