Abstract: Neurons and glial cells are the major neuroectodermal cell types of the vertebrate central nervous system (CNS). Their generation from common progenitor cells takes place mostly during embryonic and early postnatal development. After closure of the neural tube, neural epithelial progenitor cells (NEPs) establish the ventricular zone (VZ). By asymmetrical cell division, NEPs first give rise to neuronal precursor cells (NPs) that then differentiate into various types of neurons. Later, NEPs predominantly produce glial precursor cells that become either astroglia or oligodendroglia.