10 Years of Neuropharmacology

I am delighted to write a preface for this Celebratory eBook published in the Specialty Section Neuropharmacology, within the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology. The eBook delivers a compendium of high impact papers published previously in the journal over the last ten years; at the time of writing this collection of 20 papers has been viewed 700k times with over 75k downloads. Clearly this Section is delivering a useful resource to the scientific and medical research community!

The scope of the Specialty Section Neuropharmacology is deliberately broad. We encourage submission of high quality and impactful papers in the field of neuropharmacology along the full length of the translational escalator; from cellular and molecular investigations to clinical trials. I believe this is a real strength of the Section and helps attract a diverse readership that builds the stakeholder network to promote further engagement of the Section with the research community. I have no doubt that this has contributed to the growth of the Section with submissions and accepted papers displaying 10-year (2009-2019) compound annual growth rates (CAGRs) of 58% and 78%, respectively. Vitaly, high quality, scientific rigour and impact are fundamental to a paper being accepted and this inevitably leads to a relatively high level of rejection, but the transparency of the review process means a fair decision is reached.

Essential for the handling and considered review of submitted papers, the Specialty Section Neuropharmacology has a dynamic cohort of Associate Editors that have been selected carefully (81 at the time of writing) that represent the full spectrum of neuropharmacology as well as being widespread geographically around the globe. The Associate Editors are supported by nearly 500 Review Editors that ensures informed review – indeed the relatively open and interactive review process often adds considerably to the accepted version of the paper.

As we celebrate the success of Frontiers in Pharmacology and the Specialty Section Neuropharmacology with this eBook, we must also recognise and be thankful for the hard work and dedication of those in the Editorial Office; their enthusiasm and willingness to help is outstanding and they form an integral component of the overall team that delivers the success.

I look forward to further success for the Specialty Section Neuropharmacology.

Happy reading!

Professor Nicholas M. Barnes, FBPhS
Specialty Chief Editor, Neuropharmacology