Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) is a potent neurotrophic factor for peripheral as well as central neurons, being involved in cell survival and differentiation. In particular, a primary role for this molecule is related to the control of neurite growth. Previous studies have shown that in embryonic chick ciliary ganglion neurons bFGF can promote survival and neurite growth through the differential involvement of the main signal transduction pathways downstream of tyrosine kinase receptor activation. In order to understand if the effect of bFGF on neurite outgrowth is localized in the soma, in neurites or in both these regions, we have used a compartimentalized chamber system. The subministration of bFGF in the soma compartment only, in the neuritic one or in both have shown that this factor is able to elicit an effect on neuritic growth both at the centre and at the periphery, in a cooperative way. Subsequently, by means of experiments with the intracellular calcium chelator BAPTA-AM, we have investigated the calcium dependence of bFGF-induced neurite growth. Finally, calcium imaging experiments with the calcium-sensitive dye Fura-2 have provided evidence that bFGf can elicit calcium signals both at the soma and the growth cone; the effects of inhibitors of the three signaling pathways have been investigated.