RESTON, Va. - The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM) - the flagship publication of SNM - has been ranked the top medical imaging journal worldwide, according to new data released in the 2008 Journal Citation Reports(c) published by Thomson Reuters. The top ranking recognizes JNM's exceptional quality and increasing influence as an academic and professional resource.

JNM-a peer-reviewed, monthly publication-earned an impact factor of 6.662, representing an increase of more than 12 percent from 2007 (5.915) and more than a 33 percent increase from 2006. The Thomson Reuters rating-announced June 20, 2009-places JNM ahead of other leading imaging journals, including Radiology, Neuroimage, and the European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging.

The Thomson Reuters Institute measures a journal's "impact"-or significance-based on the number of article citations compared to the total number of articles published. The impact factor-a quantitative measure of the frequency with which an article in a journal is cited-is used to gauge the overall influence of a journal within scientific, professional and academic communities.


"JNM's significance as a professional resource continues to grow-even as the field becomes more competitive and the number and quality of imaging journals increases," said editor-in-chief Heinrich R. Schelbert, M.D., who is professor of molecular and medical pharmacology at the University of California at Los Angeles and George V. Taplin professor at the university's David Geffen School of Medicine. "The Thomson Reuters impact factor is a quantitative representative of what we have been experiencing first-hand over the past year. The number of submissions to the JNM continues to increase. This means that publication in the journal is even more competitive and more prestigious."

In January, JNM premiered a new, full-color design, strengthening its communication of research findings and enhancing its value as a resource for physicians, clinicians and researchers. In addition, the journal offers articles online ahead of print and free, open access to full-text online articles six months after publication.

"The JNM has become a go-to resource for nuclear medicine and molecular imaging professionals," said Michael Graham, M.D., Ph.D., president of SNM. "Additionally, the journal continues to receive increased recognition by professionals working in oncology, cardiology, neurology and other specialties. Molecular imaging and therapy are transforming the way in which patients receive health care. Advancements in the clinic are accelerating and novel discoveries are reaching patients at an increasing rate. The value placed on JNM reflects this."