This review focuses primarily on studies concerning the potential roles of two nervous-tissue-specific chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, viz., neurocan and phosphacan, in cell interactions and neurite growth in the developing central nervous system. The multiple ligands of these proteoglycans and the modulatory effects of various types of glycosylation are also considered. Other chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, such as NG2, DSD-1, Cat-301, versican, and biglycan, are briefly discussed in relation to the functional properties that have been ascribed to them.