Message from the Editors

At the beginning of this new year, the editors of Neurogastroenterology and Motility take the opportunity to reflect on the current status of the journal and to report on some upcoming changes.

Last year, the 20th anniversary of Neurogastroenterology and Motility was celebrated with an anniversary issue and a new cover. The anniversary issue, which provided selected opinion leaders with a unique forum to write a forward-looking state-of-the-science in our field, received multiple favorable reactions, and will continue to serve as a visiting card for the journal over the next years. The 2008 cover was the result of a cover competition which generated many attractive submission from different researchers. We chose another one of these images as our cover for the year 2009. We thank and congratulate Dr. Alan Burns, who submitted the image. Another competition will be held for the 2010 cover. Details for submitting an image will be made available in the April issue of the Journal.

From a scientific point of view, the year 2008 was a prosperous year for the journal. The impact factor rose to 3.364, which solidifies the position of Neurogastroenterology and Motility as one of the leading journals in clinical and scientific gastroenterology.

The number of submissions to the journal continues to rise annually, from 209 in 2004 to 219 in 2005, 231 in 2006 and 296 in the year 2007. At the time of writing this editorial, the projected number of submissions for 2008 is approximately 350. Most reassuringly, it is the Editors’ opinion that the quality of papers that are submitted to Neurogastroenterology and Motility is also steadily increasing. However, balancing this impressive growth with the page budget of the journal is increasingly challenging. To allow us to continue publishing the high quality work in the field of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, the Editors and the Journal Management Committee are considering to publish the ‘Materials and Methods’ section of all papers as online supplements only later this year, so that more original articles fit in the available print page space.

The rising number of quality submissions to Neurogastroenterology and Motility reflects how our scientific field is thriving. This is also reflected in the high number of registrants for the Joint Motility Meeting, which was held in Luzern early November 2008. More than 800 participants have registered for the meeting, making it the biggest scientific meeting devoted to the field of basic and clinical neurogastroenterology and motility to date.

Young and talented scientists, who commit themselves to a long-term career in neurogastroenterology and motility research are particularly important for our scientific field. The editors have committed themselves to actively involve emerging talents in the review process for the journal, and this also provides opportunities for accompanying viewpoints written by outstanding young researchers who may shape the future of our field.

We look forward to a great year in Neurogastroenterology and Motility.