Neuron (journal)

Neuron (journal). It is a prominent biweekly peer-reviewed scientific journal that publishes high-impact research across all areas of neuroscience. Established in 1988, it is published by Cell Press, a division of Elsevier, and is considered one of the premier journals in its field. The journal covers topics ranging from molecular and cellular neuroscience to systems and cognitive neuroscience, as well as disorders of the nervous system.

History and background

The journal was launched in 1988 by Cell Press, which was then an imprint of MIT Press, as part of an expansion beyond its flagship title, Cell. Its founding was a response to the rapid growth and increasing specialization within the field of neuroscience, aiming to provide a dedicated, high-profile venue for interdisciplinary research. The inaugural editor-in-chief was Kathryn L. Calame, and the journal quickly established itself by attracting seminal work from leading laboratories at institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Over the decades, it has evolved alongside major technological advances, such as the development of optogenetics and CLARITY, consistently publishing papers that define new directions for the field.

Scope and content

The journal's scope is exceptionally broad, encompassing molecular, cellular, developmental, systems, cognitive, and computational neuroscience. It regularly features research on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and depression, and fundamental neural processes such as synaptic plasticity, neural circuit function, and sensory perception. In addition to primary research articles, it publishes reviews, previews of upcoming research, neuroresources detailing new tools, and commentaries on issues affecting the scientific community. This comprehensive approach ensures it serves as a central resource for scientists at organizations like the National Institutes of Health, the Max Planck Society, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

Abstracting and indexing

The journal is abstracted and indexed in all major scientific databases, including Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase. Its inclusion in these services, maintained by organizations like Clarivate and Elsevier, ensures wide discoverability and citation tracking for the global research community. According to the Journal Citation Reports, it has consistently held a high impact factor, reflecting its influence within neuroscience and related disciplines such as biochemistry and cell biology. This indexing supports its use by researchers at universities worldwide, from the University of Oxford to the University of Tokyo.

Impact and reception

*Neuron* is widely regarded as one of the most selective and influential journals in neuroscience, with an impact factor that has remained among the highest in the category for decades. It is frequently compared to other top-tier journals like Nature Neuroscience, Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The publication of a paper in *Neuron* is often considered a significant career achievement for neuroscientists and can attract attention from media outlets like The New York Times and funding bodies such as the National Science Foundation. Its rigorous peer-review process and editorial standards are respected across the international scientific community.

Editorial board and policies

The journal is overseen by an editor-in-chief, currently Mariela Zirlinger, and supported by a team of full-time scientific editors and a distinguished international advisory board. This board includes renowned neuroscientists from institutions like University College London, the Karolinska Institutet, and the California Institute of Technology. The journal employs a rigorous peer-review process, often involving multiple rounds of revision with experts in fields like genetics, electrophysiology, and brain imaging. It offers both traditional subscription and hybrid open access publishing options, aligning with policies from funders like the Wellcome Trust and the European Research Council.

Notable articles and special issues

The journal has published numerous landmark studies that have fundamentally shaped modern neuroscience. These include early papers on the molecular basis of long-term potentiation, groundbreaking research utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging to map cognitive functions, and pivotal studies on the neural mechanisms of memory and decision-making. It frequently organizes special issues focusing on cutting-edge topics, such as the neural connectome, glial biology, and the neuroscience of consciousness, often featuring contributions from Nobel laureates like Eric Kandel and Thomas Südhof. These collections serve as essential reference points for the field and are widely cited in textbooks and major reviews.