Journal of Neuroscience

Journal of Neuroscience. It is a premier weekly peer-reviewed scientific journal published by the Society for Neuroscience. Established in 1981, it covers empirical research on all aspects of the nervous system, from molecular and cellular mechanisms to systems, behavioral, and cognitive neuroscience. The journal is renowned for its rigorous editorial standards and is a central publication for disseminating foundational discoveries in the field.

History and background

The journal was launched in 1981 by the Society for Neuroscience under the founding editorship of W. Maxwell Cowan, a prominent neuroanatomist. Its creation was a strategic move by the society to establish a high-impact, member-owned publication that could compete with commercial journals like Nature and Science in the rapidly expanding field of neuroscience. Early volumes featured seminal work from leading laboratories, including those of Eric Kandel, Torsten Wiesel, and Solomon Snyder, helping to solidify its reputation. The publication has been headquartered in Washington, D.C., reflecting its close ties to the society's administrative base, and has consistently adapted to the digital age, launching its online presence in the 1990s.

Scope and publication details

The journal publishes original, high-quality research articles across the entire spectrum of neuroscience. Its scope encompasses cellular and molecular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, development, plasticity, repair, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, and neurobiology of disease. It does not typically publish clinical studies but focuses on basic mechanistic research. Published weekly by the Society for Neuroscience, it releases approximately 5,000 pages of content annually. The publication operates on a hybrid open-access model, offering both traditional subscription access and an open-access option compliant with funder mandates like those from the National Institutes of Health and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is abstracted and indexed in all major scientific databases, ensuring wide dissemination of its content. Key indexing services include PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, the Science Citation Index Expanded, and Google Scholar. Its inclusion in the Web of Science and the Journal Citation Reports allows for the annual calculation of its Impact factor, a key metric in academic publishing. This comprehensive indexing makes articles easily discoverable for researchers at institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and the Max Planck Society.

Impact and reception

It is consistently ranked among the top journals in its field, with an impact factor typically above 5.0. It is regarded as a must-publish venue for many neuroscientists seeking to reach a broad, influential audience. The journal's rigorous review process, managed by editors like Sabine Kastner and previous editors-in-chief such as John H.R. Maunsell and Moses V. Chao, is widely respected for maintaining high scientific standards. Its annual presentation of the Mika Salpeter Lifetime Achievement Award and the selection of articles for the Bernice Grafstein Award further underscore its role in recognizing excellence within the neuroscience community.

Editorial policies and process

The editorial process is overseen by the Editor-in-Chief, currently Sabine Kastner of Princeton University, with support by a board of prominent scientists. Manuscripts undergo a rigorous single-blind peer review process by experts in the field, with an emphasis on methodological soundness, novelty, and significance. The journal adheres to strict ethical policies regarding authorship, conflict of interest, and data availability, in line with guidelines from organizations like the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors. It also mandates the sharing of unique materials and supports initiatives like the Allen Institute for Brain Science data-sharing standards.

Notable articles and special issues

Over its history, the journal has published numerous landmark studies that have shaped modern neuroscience. Notable examples include early work on long-term potentiation by Gary Lynch, research on the neural correlates of consciousness by Nikolaus Kriegeskorte, and pivotal studies on neurodegenerative disease models. The journal frequently publishes special issues focusing on cutting-edge topics, such as those honoring Nobel laureates like Arvid Carlsson or exploring emerging techniques like optogenetics pioneered by Karl Deisseroth. These collections often arise from symposia held at the annual Society for Neuroscience meeting.