Abstract
The Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism remains an outstanding success. The impact factor remains among the highest in neuroscience and clinical neurology. We publish high quality papers on a diversity of subjects. The Journal continues to be widely distributed in institutional libraries and among research groups in the field. The challenge in the new millennium is not just to maintain the high standing of the Journal but to enhance its reputation at a time of major transition for scientific publishing.
The success of the Journal reflects the exceptional contributions of many individuals. Perceptive, incisive reviews of submitted manuscripts are a hallmark of the Journal and are appreciated greatly by authors irrespective of the fate of their manuscript. The peer review process makes considerable, sometimes excessive, demands on the best referees. The time and expertise of the ad hoc reviewers (listed by name in the December issues) and the Editorial Board is recognized by this Editor. At this time, a number of individuals rotate off the Editorial Board having completed their term (R.E. Carson, M. Chopp, Y. Fukuuchi, A. Grinvald, K. Herholz, M. Ingvar, W.D. Lust, M. Nedergaard, W.D. Obrist, K.C. Schmidt, S.J. Warach). I extend my wholehearted thanks to them in particular for their support of the Journal over the years. I am pleased to welcome to the Editorial Board a distinguished group of new members (V. Cunningham, D. Dietrich, S. Graham, E. Hamel, D. Heiss, M. Hoehn, G. Knudsen, A. Planas, F. Sharp, N. van Bruggen, K. Yamada). I am certain that they will maintain the high standards of peer review which has been set by their predecessors. In Glasgow, I am supported by a strong editorial team and I thank Deborah Dewar and Mhairi Macrae for their contribution as Associate Editors. The key role of expediting editorial processing and liaising with referees and authors is filled outstandingly by Lindsey Towers. I am indebted to her for ensuring the smooth operation of the editorial office. The Journal will shortly be launching its own Web site, which has been constructed by Lindsey.
The success of the Journal has seen a marked increase in submission of manuscripts to the Journal. This has resulted in lower acceptance rates and increased delays in the appearance of articles. I am pleased to announce that the International Society for Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism (who owns the title) has agreed to underwrite both the purchase of additional pages for 2000 to remove the backlog and to fund the progressive expansion of the Journal by over 4% in each of the next 3 years. Subscribers will benefit from the increased scientific content at no cost to them. Authors will benefit from the improved acceptance rates and accelerated appearance of their articles.
Review articles will remain a prominent feature of the Journal in the new millennium. In addition to reviews focussed on a scientific topic, we intend to explore key areas of interest with several linked reviews. For example, in three forthcoming reviews, plasticity after brain lesions will be considered from the perspective of human imaging, behavior assessment in animals, and pharmacological intervention. Thematically linked reviews will provide opportunities for important issues to be analyzed critically in greater breadth than has been possible hitherto.
Finally, it is a great pleasure to record the award of the Albert and Mary Lasker Awards for Special Medical Research Achievement to Seymour Kety. Dr. Kety has been the Honorary Editor of this Journal since its inception. The contributions of Dr. Kety, not just to cerebrovascular and imaging research, but to the whole of neuroscience, are recognized by this prestigious award. I extend my congratulations to Dr. Kety on behalf of the Journal and its readers.