List of Contributors. Preface. Section 1. Factors implicated in neuronal pathway formation. 1. Axon guidance factors in invertebrate development (P.M. Whitington). 2. Adhesion molecules in neural crest development (D.F. Newgreen, S.S. Tan). 3. Laminin in neural development (V. Nurcombe). Section II. Factors Implicated in Neuron Survival and Specialization. 4. Mechanisms of developmental cell death (A. Messina, A. Jaworowski). 5. Regulation of the early development of the nervous system by growth factors (P.F. Bartlett, T.J. Kilpatrick, L.J. Richards, P.S. Talman, M. Murphy). 6. Retrograde factors in peripheral nerves (I.A. Hendry). 7. The regulation of nerve growth factor synthesis and delivery to peripheral neurons (R.A. Rush, R. Mayo, C. Zettler). 8. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (K.A. Bailey). 9. Neurotrophin-3 and neurotrophin-4/5 (N. Rocamora, E. Arenas). 10. Centrally-active differentiation factors in the nervous system. 11. Leukemia inhibitory factor and phenotypic specialization (T. Yamamori). 12. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (P.M. Richardson, M.C. Subang). Section III. Factors implicated in neuronal support and repair. 13. Melanocortins as factors in somatic neuromuscular growth and regrowth (F.L. Strand, K.A. Williams, S.E. Alves, F.J. Antonawitch, T.S. Lee, S.J. Lee, J. Kume, L.A. Zuccarelli). 14. Functions of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in the nervous system (S. Bieger, K. Unsicker). 15. Astroglial neurotrophic and neurite-promoting factors (H.W. Müller, U. Junghans, J. Kappler). 16. Roles of insulin-like growth factors in peripheral nerve regeneration and motor neuron survival (D.N. Ishii, S.F. Pu, G.W. Glazner, H.-X. Zhuang, D.J. Marsh). Section IV. Factors implicated in neuronal damage. 17. Oxidative stress: free radical production in neural degeneration (M.E. Götz, G. Künig, P. Riederer, M.B.H. Youdim). 18. Excitotoxic neuronal damage and neuropsychiatric disorders (C.F. Zorumski, J.W. Olney). Subject Index.