SNM recently announced that all content in its flagship publication-The Journal of Nuclear Medicine (JNM)-is now free and open to the public six months after publication. Previously, non-subscribers waited 12 months before being able to freely access journal articles. The journal's editorial board and the society's board of directors approved expediting open access in order to help disseminate new research-helping increase understanding and sound practice of nuclear medicine and molecular imaging throughout the medical community and with the public.

The monthly, peer-reviewed JNM was recently ranked second among 87 imaging publications by the Thomson Reuters Institute for Scientific Information's (ISI) Journal Citations Report in recognition of its exceptional quality and influence as an academic and professional resource. This ranking directly reflects the degree to which a scientific journal is considered an essential and influential resource for clinicians, academics and other researchers. ISI's "impact factor" is based to a significant extent on the number of times articles are cited in relation to the total number of articles published. Since 2006, JNM citations have grown nearly 10 percent.

"The Journal of Nuclear Medicine is leading the way in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging," said Heinrich R. Schelbert, M.D., editor in chief of JNM. "It continues to attract a growing number of submissions from researchers at prestigious organizations throughout the United States and internationally."

In addition, beginning with papers published in the January 2009 issue of JNM, images will be published in full color.

"As a leading multidisciplinary, international scientific and professional society, one of SNM's primary goals is to promote access to critical and valuable information that helps shape the future of our field and provide patients with the best health care information possible," added Schelbert.

A recent issue of JNM reported results of an Australian multi-center colorectal cancer and positron emission tomography (PET) study in which researchers found that as many as half of the participating patients received changes in treatment once the scan revealed unsuspected alterations in disease progression or regression. Other journal issues announced a novel radioisotope treatment for brain cancer, advances in the differentiation and classification of the types of dementia-including Alzheimer's disease-and the efficacy of new life-saving cardiac treatments.

Subscription to the journal is free to members of SNM. Current and past issues can be found online at jnm.snmjournals. For more information on purchasing print issues of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, contact the SNM Service Center at (800) 513-6853 or servicecentersnm.

About SNM-Advancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy

SNM is an international scientific and medical organization dedicated to raising public awareness about what molecular imaging is and how it can help provide patients with the best health care possible. SNM members specialize in molecular imaging, a vital element of today's medical practice that adds an additional dimension to diagnosis, changing the way common and devastating diseases are understood and treated.

SNM's more than 16,000 members set the standard for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine practice by creating guidelines, sharing information through journals and meetings and leading advocacy on key issues that affect molecular imaging and therapy research and practice.

SNM-Advancing Molecular Imaging and Therapy