Neurology research: A journal survey, 1980–1990

AbstractThere have been major changes in neurology research during the past decade, but no systematic examination of the content, methods, funding, and research personnel. All scientific articles in the journals Annals of Neurology, Archives of Neurology, and Neurology were categorized by article type, number of authors, highest degree of first author, institution, disease area, reseach field, and source of support for the years 1980 and 1990. Original articles grew by 54% over the decade. The average number of authors increased by 1.3 to 5 (p > 0.0001). Groups of MDs and PhDs wrote 39% of articles in 1990 (24% in 1980). Contributions with a diagnostic or therapeutic focus rose from 7 to 14%, whereas there was a pronounced drop in case reports from nearly 40% to just under 20%. Articles on movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases increased more than 100% and now together comprise more than 25% of original articles. Molecular biology increased by 1,600%, and there was significant growth in epidemiology, neuroimaging, neurochemistry, and neuropsychology. The top 20 publishing institutions accounted for 40% of all original articles and 60% of US original articles. Foreign