The effects of the members of the same nuclear receptor superfamily (all-trans retinoic acid (RA), thyroid hormone(T3) or hydrocortisone) on proliferation and differentiation in the SK-N-SH neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines were studied. NB cells were treated with RA, T3, or hydrocortisone at concentration of 10$^{-6}$ M or 10$^{-8}$ M for 3 days or 7 days. RA induced concentration- and time-dependent morphologic differentiation(neurite outgrowth and microtubule-associated protein expression) and growth inhibition in NB cells. Treatment of 10$^{-7}$ M T3 for 7 days increased viability and differentiation of NB cells. Treatment of 10$^{-6}$ M hydrocortisone for 7 days increased viability of NB cells. Although these three effectors are members of the same receptor superfamily, the regulation of brain development may be carried out in a different manner.