Reduction of serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe due to chronic prenatal administration of a tryptophan-free diet.

Serotonin (5-HT) is a widely studied neurotransmitter which plays an important role in the development and proper functioning of the organism throughout life. The appearance of 5-HT system early in ontogeny suggests the hypothesis that 5-HT plays a regulatory role in neurodevelopment. This study investigated the effect of administration of a tryptophan deficient diet during prenatal development on the morphology and cell population of the dorsal raphe.

[Ontogenesis of the neurotransmitter systems].

Introduction: The study of the ontogenesis of neurotransmitter systems is relevant not only to understand the development of the central nervous system. The new horizons that have appeared in research into the use of stem cells in the repair of damaged neurons are allowing attempts to be made to imitate the differentiation and maintenance of the type of affected neuron. To achieve this, it is necessary to understand which signals direct the differentiation and the molecules that guide their maturation, their survival and the maintenance of their functionality.