Every editor of a scientific journal strives for success. The editorial labor includes efforts to attract top-quality manuscripts and to maintain the excellence of the published material. As a rule, in due course these efforts should result in an increase in the number of citations. Nonetheless, it was a pleasant surprise to see that the goal finally materialized.

  How would you account for the increased citation rate of Neuroepidemiology?

“The papers published in Neuroepidemiology reflect overall advances in the entire field of neurology with emphasis on prevalence, incidence and mortality, risk factors, etiological research, and prevention.”

Neuroepidemiology is a relatively young publication that reflects the worldwide growing research in the fields covered by this neurological speciality. Some of the most highly cited articles in Neuroepidemiology go back as far as 1992; therefore, I must recognize the excellent work of my predecessors at the editorial helm, Milton Alter (1989-1996) and Philip B. Gorelick (1997-2000) who maintained and improved the quality of the publication. Of course, the role of the reviewers and editorial board is crucial in a highly specialized journal such as Neuroepidemiology.

  Was there a change in policy or editorial direction that might account for this?

In 2001, I became Editor-in-Chief of Neuroepidemiology as the journal celebrated 20 years of continuous publication. I received full support from the publisher (S. Karger A.G., Basel) to implement a series of measures to increase the journal’s impact. The Heinz Karger Memorial Foundation sponsored the publication of two special issues of 114 and 110 pages each in order to eliminate the backlog of accepted papers. Neuroepidemiology went into a larger format, the number of pages increased, and the frequency of publication went up to six times per year. Electronic submissions were encouraged for faster turnover time. As a result, the number of papers submitted for publication has increased. However, the rejection rate remains at an all-time high of 40%. These overall measures have contributed to the continuous improvement of the journal’s quality. As a result, Neuroepidemiology increased its impact factor (IF) from 1.390 in 2001 to 2.139 in 2002.

  What historical factors have contributed to the success of Neuroepidemiology?

The late Bruce S. Schoenberg founded Neuroepidemiology in 1982 with the purpose of providing an international forum for this "relatively new speciality … with a commitment to excellence and a dedication to clinically relevant topics." During these 22 years, the members of the Research Group on Neuroepidemiology of the World Federation of Neurology have been the driving force behind the success of Neuroepidemiology. In addition, the Pan American Society of Neuroepidemiology and the Neuroepidemiology Groups of the Neurological Societies of Italy and Spain also provided support to the journal by encouraging international submissions.

  Have there been specific developments in the fields served by Neuroepidemiology that may have contributed?

The papers published in Neuroepidemiology reflect overall advances in the entire field of neurology with emphasis on prevalence, incidence and mortality, risk factors, etiological research, and prevention. There are highly quoted papers in areas such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, tremor, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, migraine, epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, prion diseases, and brain tumors. There has been a recent increase in methodological papers and controlled clinical trials.

  What, in your view, is this journal’s main significance or contribution in the field of Neuroscience & Behavior?

As a field of research, neuroepidemiology should serve as a constant generator of etiological hypotheses. Neuroepidemiology publishes research on epidemiological trends, risk factors, or protective factors for a particular disease. Recognition of these advances results in better treatments, preventive measures, and finally, in confirmation of the hypothesis in the laboratory. Recent examples include the importance of vascular factors in Alzheimer’s disease, or the crucial role of sunlight exposure in multiple sclerosis.

  How do you see your field evolving in the next few years?

In years to come, the field of neuroepidemiology should continue to increase its contribution to public health, and in particular, to the prevention of neurological diseases. With the aging of the world’s population, this will become an area of major importance in years to come. Neuroepidemiology is perfectly situated to recognize the importance of this field and to pioneer population-based prevention efforts.

  What role do you see for Neuroepidemiology?

Neuroepidemiology should continue to be at the forefront of advances in the field. As the excellence of the publication continues, as confirmed by an upward trend on its IF, Neuroepidemiology should be able to attract epidemiological papers that are currently being published in various subspecialty journals. With wider recognition, Neuroepidemiology must become the preferential publication for international papers in the wide field of neurological epidemiology and public health.

Neuroepidemiology
Dr. Gustavo C. Román, Editor-in-Chief
S. Karger A.G., publishers