February 2019 Newsletter
Change in Author Fees Benefiting Many JNP Authors
A new publication fee structure has been implemented for manuscripts submitted on or after February 1, 2019. Charges for color figures have been eliminated , and there will be a flat fee for all articles. Since there are no page restrictions for JNP articles, and many of these are long, this pricing will be of benefit to most authors.
Public Access Policy Unravelled
Unless authors opt for the AuthorChoice program (see below), access to articles is restricted to subscribers for one year. After a year, all articles can be accessed by any reader for free on the Journal website.

Author fees do not cover the entire cost of publishing an article, and we must defray these costs with subscriptions that require a short embargo period prior to granting public access.
Note that members of the American Physiological Society receive access to JNP and the other 14 Society journals as a benefit, as well as reduced author fees.
Making Your Article Open Access
Authors can also choose to immediately make their article open access through our AuthorChoice Program. After paying a $2000 fee, authors can immediately reuse and distribute their article under a Creative Commons License . Note that there are no longer color figure fees associated with AuthorChoice: the $2000 fee includes all charges!
Summary of Reduced Publication Costs
Let's say an author wants to publish a long paper with 5 color figures showcasing a large study. If they are a member of the American Physiological Society, the total cost would be $800 (with a one-year embargo prior to public access on the JNP website), or $2000 if authors wish to retain the copyright and freely share the paper.
Evolution of Supplemental Data Policy
Our supplemental data policy continues to evolve to provide greater flexibility to authors. Here are some recent changes:

  • Up to 10 multi-paneled figures, methods files, data sets, or audio and video files may be referred to within the manuscript text (e.g. Supplemental Figure S1[DOI or link]; Supplemental Table S1[DOI or link]).
  • Supplemental materials should be placed in a stable public repository like Github, and links should be provided in the text as described above. Supplemental materials can no longer be included with submissions; they must be placed in a public repository.

  • Supplemental materials referenced in the article text must be available upon submission so reviewers have access to them. These materials will be considered confidential until the article is published

  • Peer-reviewed supplemental materials cannot be password protected; they must be freely available to all readers once the article is accepted.

  • Authors may also reference datasets in an endnote of an article. These datasets will not be considered during peer review, unlike supplemental materials referenced in the body of the manuscript (which are considered part of the peer-reviewed article).

  • Figures and tables that are scientifically necessary should not be added as supplemental materials. Supplemental materials should convey ancillary information.

  • We expect authors to make datasets for published articles available on request.
New Podcast
Whether one is delicately placing a contact lens on the surface of the eye or lifting a heavy weight from the floor, the motor system must produce a wide range of forces under different dynamical loads. How does the motor cortex, with neurons that have a limited activity range, effectively control such a wide range of movements?

In this podcast, Editor-in-Chief Bill Yates talks with Drs. Stephanie Naufel-Thacker, Josh Glaser, and Lee Miller about their recent work that addresses this question.
Most Discussed Papers in 2018
Since we promote every article via social media, it is not surprising that many papers are shared extensively via a variety of outlets. Information about the social media discussion of every article is available on the JNP website .

The following articles published in 2018 were the most discussed on social media:









Calls for Papers
Our Calls for Papers generate content for virtual journal issues called Collections. These collections are definitive sources of information about particular topics. In addition, we issue Calls for meetings with which we are affiliated.
Calls Closing on June 30, 2019


Jack Cowan has played an important role in the development of mathematical modeling of neuronal networks. His research and mentorship have contributed to the formulation of the Wilson-Cowan equations, the application of bifurcation theory to neural modeling, and a variety of statistical approaches in mathematical neuroscience.  JNP partnered with the organizers of a conference that occurred on May 11, 2018 to celebrate Jack Cowan's 50th anniversary at the University of Chicago. This call is for manuscripts (including reviews) related to presentations at the meeting as well as to recent developments in research on modeling activity patterns in neuronal networks.


JNP  sponsored the 2018 International Motoneuron Society Meeting, which occurred on June 11–14, 2018 in Boulder, Colorado. As part of this sponsorship, JNP will publish articles (including reviews) associated with presentations at the meeting, as well as papers from International Motoneuron Society members. Appropriate topics range from the molecular biology and biophysical properties of motoneurons and motor units through pharmacological and behavioral strategies for therapeutic intervention, such as after spinal cord injury or stroke and in progressive neurological disorders.


Emilio Bizzi's career at MIT has had an enormous impact on the field of motor control. Recently, Emilio's research focused on investigating modular organization of motor control architecture and compositionality in the coordination of complex actions.  JNP  partnered with the organizers of a workshop that occurred on May 5, 2018 to discuss these topics and to acknowledge Emilio Bizzi's role in exploring these ideas. This call is for manuscripts (including reviews) related to discussion at the workshop as well as recent developments in research on modularity and compositionality in motor control.

Calls Closing on December 31, 2019


Despite decades of research, the functional and evolutionary significance of the auditory and vestibular inner ear efferents are poorly understood. The long held belief that the peripheral auditory and vestibular end organs are simple sensors with no information processing has been challenged in recent years. It is a remarkable feature that the auditory and vestibular systems possess a mechanism for targeted and specialized modulation of afferent sensory information via descending inputs from the brain to the cochlea and vestibular organs. Over the past few years, new discoveries have emerged regarding efferent synaptic mechanisms and their role in sensory afferent development and signaling as well as higher order processing of behaviors. This call is for original research and reviews that advance our current understanding of the function of the inner ear efferents in health and in pathological conditions. The aim is to discuss efferent synaptic mechanisms, effects on sensory afferent development and signaling, effects on behavior and higher order processing, and plasticity with sensory experience and pathology in different animal models and using new research tools (including imaging, stimulation, and recording techniques).


Dynamic neural networks allow organisms to adapt crucial behaviors based on sensory, environmental, and internal factors. This call is for manuscripts (including reviews) that explore aspects of neural networks at any level, from the roles of specific channels and neurotransmitters to the behavioral implications of neural networks. JNP is issuing this call in partnership with the organizers of the workshop “Dynamic Neural Networks: The Stomatogastric Nervous System.” This workshop occurred on November 2, 2018 at the University of San Diego. Note that this call is open to all research on the topic of neural network modulation, not just to workshop attendees. However, we especially encourage speakers and attendees from the workshop to submit.


We are excited to continue our productive relationship with the Society for the Neural Control of Movement!  JNP  is a sponsor of the 2019 Society for the Neural Control of Movement (NCM) Meeting , planned for April 23–27, 2019 in Toyama, Japan. As part of this sponsorship, JNP will publish articles (including reviews) associated with presentations at the NCM meeting, as well as papers from NCM society members.