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June 2019 Newsletter
Passing of Prominent JNP Author, Jay Goldberg
Dr. Jay Goldberg of the University of Chicago, whose articles on the encoding of head movement and head position by the vestibular system have guided the field for decades, died on June 17, 2019. JNP is honored that we published most of Dr. Goldberg's work, including his classic papers that established vestibular neurophysiology as a discipline.
2018 Journal Data
Last week, Clarivate analytics released annual journal data, including impact factors. As a signatory to DORA, the APS journals will not promote impact factors because this indicator provides incomplete information about a journal's reputation. The 2018 impact factor represents citations in 2018 to articles published in 2016 and 2017. Since systems neuroscience articles tend to be cited more over time, the impact factor is not a good representation of JNP's importance.
Although our impact factor increased for the second year in a row, we prefer to focus on other metrics in the Clarivate report:

  • Eigenfactor Score (impact factor adjusted for prestige of citing journals): 23 of 267 neuroscience journals (top 10%). This metric shows that JNP articles are cited in prestigious journals.

  • Cited Half Life: 13.6 years; 10 of 267 neuroscience journals (top 5%). This metric shows that the JNP articles continue to be cited for many years.

  • Total citations in 2018: 43,309

  • Citations to 2016-2017 articles in 2018: 2,575
Most Cited Articles in 2018 Published in 2016 and 2017
The Journal Report lists the articles that were most cited in the years analyzed. The following are the JNP articles published in 2016-2017 with the most citations in 2018:







Most Discussed Articles in May
Our promotion of every article through social media starts a conversation that brings the paper to the attention of scientists, policy makers, the media, and the public. We track this discussion, and provide details on our website for every manuscript.

The following are the most discussed articles in May:



Case Study Featured in Press Release
One of our newest article types is Case Studies in Neuroscience, which are becoming increasingly popular.

A recent Case Study in Neuroscience, " The electrophysiology of a human obsession in nucleus accumbens," was just highlighted in a press release.

Press releases are another mechanism to highlight the articles we publish.
Unleash your Creativity with Cover Art
We rotate the cover of JNP quarterly. Shown here is the cover for the July-September issues. The next time your article is accepted, consider sending us accompanying artwork for our cover.
Improve your Journal Club Course with NeuroForum
NeuroForum is our venue for trainees to publish an analysis of a recent article or a mini-review on a hot topic.

Instructors have found that including NeuroForum in their journal club course is effective, as it provides trainees with an opportunity to independently compose and submit an article.

Let us help you improve your fall term course with NeuroForum. Contact the editor for more information.
New Calls for Papers
Two new Calls for Papers will be released on July 1. Calls are used to populate our Collections, or virtual journal issues.

All review articles submitted for Calls must be pre-approved by the editor.

The following our our latest Calls:
  • Spinal Networks and Spinal Cord Injury: A Tribute to Reggie Edgerton

Reggie Edgerton’s career at UCLA has had an enormous impact on the field of spinal cord injury research. Animal and human experiments performed in his laboratory enabled the development of several types of interventions generally categorized as “neuromodulatory interventions.” JNP is collaborating with the organizers of a workshop at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab that will take place on October 18, 2019 to discuss these neuromodulatory interventions and to acknowledge Reggie Edgerton’s career and contributions to the field of spinal cord networks and spinal cord injury. This call is for manuscripts (including reviews) related to the topic of this workshop as well as recent developments in research on spinal cord physiology and its role in motor control.

  • The Benefits of Nonhuman Primate Research for Understanding the Brain and Spinal Cord in Health and Disease

Many of the most significant discoveries in neuroscience involved research in nonhuman primates. Monkeys, particularly rhesus monkeys and marmosets, continue to serve as vital models for studies on the structure, function, and pathology of the brain and spinal cord. This call is for manuscripts (including reviews) that highlight the unique benefits from research in non-human primates, and the importance of the findings from this work.
Other Calls for Papers
Three other Calls for Papers were announced on January 1, and will remain open until the end of 2019. Submit your paper for these Calls soon so they can be included in the related Collection.

Open calls for papers:
  • Auditory and Vestibular Efferents

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  was a sponsor of the 2019 Society for the Neural Control of Movement (NCM) Meeting, which occurred on 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.