Editorial

Since its inception in 1981, the Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism has established itself as one of the premier journals in neuroscience. The Journal continues to publish outstanding papers that provide insight into the normal function, dysfunction, or death of brain cells. Through almost 2 decades of major conceptual and technological advances, the Journal has maintained its reputation for embracing the most innovative investigations across its broad area of research interest, from cells in culture to the living human brain. Its wide circulation and high impact factor in the SCI Journal Citation Reports are testimony to the high standing of our Journal.

This success is due to the outstanding leadership provided by the past Editors, notably my immediate predecessor, Dr. Myron D. Ginsberg. Dr. Ginsberg deserves the gratitude of the International Society of Cerebral Blood Flow and Metabolism for his stewardship of the Journal in the last 6 years.

I feel deeply honored by the invitation to become Editor-in-Chief. I recognize the tremendous responsibility of the post and I will do everything in my power to ensure that this Journal remains vibrant and at the forefront of neuroscience research.

I am fortunate that two senior colleagues in the University of Glasgow, Dr. Deborah Dewar and Dr. I. Mhairi Macrae, have accepted appointments as Associate Editors. Our goal is to provide the incisive, objective reviews of submitted manuscripts that are the hallmark of this Journal. The Journal will maintain the high quality threshold for acceptance and we will ensure that editorial decisions are made expeditiously. Electronic communication is now being increasingly used to expedite the review process. Rapid Communications with the fast track decision process remains the vehicle for the most exciting discoveries. Review articles which are topical and perceptive (and at times provocative) will be developed further.

As Editor, I am advised by a distinguished Editorial Board and I already appreciate the outstanding contribution that these individuals, together with ad hoc reviewers, make to the success of the Journal. As part of the regular rotation of the Editorial Board, a number of individuals step down each year, having provided my predecessors and me with enormous support over many years. To them and to all reviewers, I extend my heartfelt thanks. With this year's restructuring of the Editorial Board, two of the greatest figures in the history of the field retire from the list of Editors, namely Drs. Bo Siesjö and Louis Sokoloff. From their pivotal role in the creation of this Journal to their continuous guidance and support of past editors, the contribution that Dr. Bo Siesjö and Dr. Louis Sokoloff have made is beyond calculation. On my own behalf and on behalf of previous Editors, I express my deepest appreciation to them.

Finally, you may have noticed that the Journal has a new cover. The new design maintains the brain motif and color of the original cover but the presentation is sharper and more modern. As with the cover, the Journal, under my Editorship, will be based on its traditional strengths but responsive to the constantly evolving scientific environment that we inhabit.