“In science the credit goes to the man who convinces the world, not the man to whom the idea first occurs.”
Sir Francis Darwin (1848–1925)
In this issue of Acta Neuropsychiatrica, the last of the first year with the new format, we close with a series of interesting articles that examine aspects of schizophrenia ranging from the neural basis of its psychopathological phenomena to dissecting its neurobiology. We also have mention of the troublesome category of schizoaffective disorder that has possibly rendered much of our earlier research into psychosis and emotions.
The aim this year of the editorial team with the assistance of the extensive advisory and editorial boards has been to reinvigorate research and debate into neuropsychiatry and for it to be seen as a speciality with versatility and depth. This has been brought into sharp relief by the breadth of articles that have been published this year along with the many interesting regular contributions through Brain Bytes, Insight Interventions and Pictures & Prose. In this volume we have visited Cappadocia and have been briefly acquainted with Lafora, Cade, Kraepelin, Meyer, Kahlbaum and Hecker. We have examined the basics of theoretical and applied statistics holding firmly onto the hands of our expert Dusan Hadzi-Pavlovic. We have also experienced an optical journey through the brain – peering bit by bit into its potential secrets with the aid of our resident ‘all-seeing-eye’, Jim Lagopoulos. Finally, Michael Berk our self-appointed surrogate life-style coach has given our bad habits a bashing and provided us with food for thought. He has enthused us to exercise our body and mind and intervene early to prevent both oxidative and psychological stress.
I am writing this final editorial for 2007 as I depart for the first Advisory and Editorial Board Meeting (taking place in Vienna during the October ECNP congress), since my appointment as Editor-in-Chief. I am extremely grateful for the necessary support that many of the board members, and editorial team, have provided over the past 12 months and I am also hopeful that the many contributors to the journal, both regular and new, are beginning to experience the impact of the many changes that have been implemented. It is my sincere wish that innovations to the journal are viewed positively and perceived as conferring clinical or research benefit. I continue to request feedback from all concerned and thank those that have already done so. The many constructive comments and helpful suggestions have contributed to refining the tone of the journal and have been instrumental in ensuring its success during this transition phase.
Acta Neuropsychiatrica has a long-lasting and unique heritage as an important and respected neuropsychiatry journal. I envisage the next few years as a period of rapid growth for the journal as it positions itself as a major source of clinical neuropsychiatric research. In this we will continue to cherish and build upon its legacy; however, our first priority now is to demonstrate our impact on the field and convince others of this.
