A Farewell to Child Neurology Open

When Child Neurology Open was founded in 2014, Marc Patterson, then Editor-in-Chief of both the Journal of Child Neurology and Child Neurology Open, wrote about the very first editor of the first journal: Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society in England in 1665. ¹ In 2021, I was honored to step into the long line of historical editors when I took over Child Neurology Open. Over the last two years I have enjoyed working with Dr Patterson as the editor of this open access sister journal of JCN.

As a home for unusual case reports, case series, small pilot studies and humanities, Child Neurology Open has truly filled a niche in the world of pediatric neurology publishing, providing – as Dr Patterson wrote back then – “a platform for the rapid publication of scientifically sound and ethically transparent manuscripts that add to the store of knowledge in the discipline of child neurology.” ¹

It is thus with mixed feelings that we have decided to close Child Neurology Open. The publishing landscape has changed over the last nine years, and now, in 2023, as the Journal of Child Neurology accepts more open access articles, the need for a separate sister journal is less apparent. Dr Patterson and I feel we will accomplish more by combining the energy, talent and editorship of both journals into the single Journal of Child Neurology.

Dr Patterson will continue to lead the Journal of Child Neurology and I will step into the role of Deputy Editor. The Associate Editors and the members of the Residents and Fellows Board of both journals will continue to provide their excellent assistance and insight.

We greatly appreciate the work of everyone who has helped make our work a success over the last nine years, and your continued support for the Journal of Child Neurology. We will continue to advocate for accessibility and transparency in publishing; for diversity in editorial boards; and for mentorship for future generations of child neurologists.