NeuroImage: A Journal of Brain Function

Edited by:
  • Arthur W. Toga,
  • Richard S. J. Frackowiak &
  • John C. Mazziotta
Academic. 8/yr. USA and Canada $300, elsewhere $322 (institutional); $99 (personal)
Credit: MARK DOBSON

I recently saw the words ‘image is everything’ emblazoned on a T-shirt beside an image of the brain. It aroused mixed feelings. I certainly shared the wearer's pride about an exciting area of research in which I participate. At the same time, it piqued my concern about over-promotion, especially in comparison with other exciting and important areas of cognitive and neuroscientific research.

It is a fact, however, that neuroimaging is growing tremendously and receiving much attention. This is due largely to remarkable advances in noninvasive techniques for imaging human brain function, including positron emission tomography, functional magnetic resonance imaging, scalp electrophysiology and other less common but promising techniques, such as magnetoencephalography and optical imaging. Collectively, these techniques offer an unprecedented opportunity to observe the functioning of the normal human brain.

NeuroImage is one of two journals created in response to this growth (the other is Human Brain Mapping, reviewed two years ago in Nature 377, 266; 1995). These journals perform an important service. Before they appeared, most neuroimaging studies went to technique-specific disciplinary journals. But these studies address many of the same basic questions about brain function, and face many of the same methodological issues. Hence the need for a common forum that not only permits the direct exchange of findings and ideas, but might also aid the development of new, integrative approaches.

Of the two new journals, NeuroImage has a broader mission, targeting studies not only on humans but also on other animals. This breadth of coverage is important, as it has the potential to foster additional interactions across these two largely isolated areas of research. Although fewer nonhuman studies have appeared (accounting for about 20 per cent of articles in the ten issues I sampled), they are an important and distinguishing characteristic of the journal.

The journal has kept apace of growth in the field. It recently increased from six to eight issues a year, and acquired two extra editors to redirect its focus. The time from submission to publication is about seven months — quick enough to ensure timeliness without sacrificing a careful review process. This care is reflected in the high quality of the articles, which include contributions from established investigators and newcomers to the field alike.

The format is primarily full-length research articles. Rapid communications are welcomed, although there have been only a handful published so far. There is a good balance between methodological articles (55 per cent) and ones focusing on empirical research (45 per cent). The cost is reasonable, especially considering the superb standard of production and the fact that authors are not charged for colour figures.

In all, NeuroImage seems to be succeeding in its mission. Owing to the current popularity of the topic, it faces stiff competition from the main disciplinary and general scientific journals, as well as, of course, from Human Brain Mapping. But it is clearly rising to the challenge. In view of the area's rapid growth, NeuroImage should not have trouble continuing to attract interesting and important articles.

Is image everything? I don't think so. But NeuroImage encompasses everything in brain imaging, and is doing an excellent job of providing a high-resolution image of this cutting-edge and burgeoning field.