By Aaron Conley
Barlow Family Director of the Vanderbilt Brain Institute and acclaimed neuroscientist Lisa Monteggia was named incoming co-principal editor, along with Dr. Tony George from the University of Toronto, of the journal Neuropsychopharmacology. Their appointments begin in January 2023.
According to an NPP release, “Drs. George and Monteggia bring significant expertise in clinical and basic neuropsychopharmacology as well extensive editorial experience to the long-standing journal of the ACNP.” The American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, a professional society of leading brain scientists, publishes NPP. Monteggia is the first woman to be named to a leading role at the journal.
Monteggia’s research focuses on understanding antidepressant action in the brain. Through her current work on the efficacy and action of ketamine as an antidepressant, her lab has recently discovered the pathway that it uses to cause rapid antidepressant behavioral activity. Uncovering this pathway is a significant step toward understanding ketamine’s action in the brain and exploring whether a new class of therapeutics targeting this pathway can provide rapid antidepressant treatment, which would help close a major gap in patient care.
“I am delighted to be the incoming co-principal editor for Neuropsychopharmacology,” said Monteggia. “Neuropsychopharmacology is a premier journal in neuropsychiatry and the official publication of the ACNP. The journal publishes studies from a broad neuroscience perspective that bridges molecular and cellular mechanisms with translational and clinical research focused in the area of brain and behavior. I am excited to work with an outstanding team of associate editors and members of the Editorial Board on this endeavor.”