Abstract
The stunning growth of Neurorehabilitation & Neural Repair (NNR) during Bruce Dobkin’s stewardship parallels the maturation of the field itself. We have witnessed the emergence of a large number of influential randomized controlled trials in neurorehabilitation, along with the development of standards for how these trials should be conducted and reported. Our understanding of restorative mechanisms in the nervous system has become increasingly sophisticated, with a host of potential new targets for therapeutic intervention. Technological advances have brought us new and efficient methods for monitoring outcomes, as well as improved tools to modulate neural function. While the goal of improving the quality of life for individuals with neural injury and disease remains extraordinarily challenging, the positive steps documented in this journal should encourage all of us to remain optimistic.
The vision and focus of the journal will remain essentially unchanged. We fill a unique niche for clinicians and scientists who are engaged in, or who have deep interests in, the translational neuroscience of rehabilitation. The particular research focus of the editor-in-chief sometimes attracts additional manuscripts from his or her specialty, but the field of neurorehabilitation and neural repair is far too interdisciplinary to focus on any one area. This is what sets us apart from many other journals. Our readership is interested in basic science, but particularly in preclinical studies that provide some insight into mechanisms underlying the effects or therapeutic applications in clinical populations. Likewise, manuscripts focusing on clinical research or trials in neurorehabilitation are strongly encouraged, but especially those that are conducted with the highest standards, including well-constructed hypotheses, methods, and results.
NNR would not be so successful without our distinguished and assiduous editorial board and associate editors. A number of our editorial board members have performed outstanding service to NNR for many years. For this service, we are immensely grateful. But for any journal to evolve and grow, periodic revitalization is critical, and the entry of a new editor is an optimal time to implement such changes. The primary goals in the reformulation of an editorial board are to redistribute the representation of various subspecialty areas and to bring in some fresh, eager faces. This year, it is my pleasure to welcome Scott Frey, John Martin, Robert Motl, Alice Nieuwboer, and Valerie Pomeroy to our editorial board.
Other changes at NNR will largely be behind the scenes. Debi Barton will serve as editorial assistant and will be your main contact at the journal office, with the new email address: