Abstract
Having served on the editorial board for over 10 years, I am very excited and honored to take up the role of Editor-in-Chief of this well-recognized journal. I should at first express my sincere thanks to Dr Lippa for her leadership and for making this journal a well-known multidisciplinary title in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research field. I believe the journal has earned its reputation using multidisciplinary approaches for authors to publish and discuss their results and express their opinions toward other studies.
While I have been working on basic science and translational research in AD for more than 15 years, in the past 5 years, I have also organized the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Network at The University of Hong Kong. The network serves to foster multidisciplinary approaches for AD research, a strategy I advocate for American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias (AJADD). The approaches range from basic science, drug discovery, genetics, imaging (from confocal to magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography), clinical trials, psychosocial, patient care, language problems, oral health, to even urban planning and architecture. The network also established multidisciplinary research projects to further support this approach. One such project investigated bioavailable testosterone as biomarkers for male patients with AD and the biological mechanisms of testosterone as neuroprotective. Another project focuses on different cognitive tests that have to be translated and validated in the Hong Kong Chinese region. This is a collaborative effort between social science, diagnostic radiology, geriatrics, genetics, and nursing. Members in the network also investigated how learning a second language can be protective to preserve the brain in patients with MCI. This involved colleagues in education, diagnostic radiology, and geriatrics. We are also planning a project to investigate different intensities of exercise on patients with MCI and elderly patients who receive surgery/anesthetics and animal models. This will foster collaboration between experts in sport science, basic sciences, anesthesiology, and geriatrics. With collaboration in mind, and to continue the success of AJADD, I have 2 objectives:
My first goal for AJADD is to establish this journal as a hub for multidisciplinary reports tackling the problems in AD and dementias. We envision a world without AD; to accomplish this, we cannot limit the discipline to basic and clinical sciences. New technology for nursing care, epidemiological analysis of risk factors, living habits, alternative medicine as supplementary treatment, and neuropsychiatric problems of patients and caregivers should also be important issues. In fact, we should encourage experts in particular fields to examine and learn from other disciplines so that, working together, we can stimulate innovative interdisciplinary studies and research to improve the quality of life and treatment for AD and dementia. This is the merit of AJADD.
In 2016, I plan to establish special sections to help the board effectively and professionally review manuscripts from different disciplines, beginning with: Nursing, Care Technology, and Palliative Care; Clinical Trials and Translational Research; Imaging, Biomarkers, and Diagnosis; and Psychological/Psychiatric Symptoms and Remedies.
We plan to add different sections in subsequent years which serve to attract investigators from other disciplines to submit to, and publish in, our journal.
My second goal is to increase the impact factor for AJADD. With such a long history, AJADD deserves a higher impact factor in our field. Achieving a medium- to high-impact factor and joining the first quartile of different disciplines are essential for the journal’s growth. I would like to work on this in 2 ways: Schedule special issues to attract more readers, authors, and researchers. I welcome suggestions from the board. Maintain stringent, yet efficient and timely review processes in order to deliver a good reviewing experience and keep quality researchers and authors coming back to AJADD.
I am very enthusiastic, and I treasure the opportunity to serve as editor-in-chief for AJADD. I hope I can count on your continued support for AJADD, as we continue to make this journal a unique and high-impact title in the AD research field.