The first letter from the editor of the new Neuromuscular Disorders Editor-in-Chief, Chris Weihl

As I begin my tenure as Editor-in-Chief of Neuromuscular Disorders, I do so with profound respect for the leaders whose vision has guided this journal for more than three decades. In 1990, Professor Victor Dubowitz founded Neuromuscular Disorders and established it as a trusted and authoritative voice for the neuromuscular community. This legacy was carried forward by Professor Anders Oldfors, who expanded the journal’s emphasis on clinicopathologic characterisation during a rapidly evolving era of genetic discovery. The journal’s longevity and success are further reflected in the exceptional editorial oversight of Jane Miller, who has been with the journal since its inception. Their dedication and unwavering commitment to rigor have shaped not only the journal but also the field itself. I am deeply grateful for their stewardship and humbled by the opportunity—and challenge—of following in their footsteps.

For many years, the journal’s cover reflected the vision of Dr. Dubowitz and the foundational emphasis on clinical and pathological features. It represented a focus on careful patient phenotyping and comprehensive pathologic assessment. The clinical illustrations and histopathological images conveyed the roots of our discipline—one grounded in close clinical observation, careful morphological analysis, and fundamental insight into muscle and nerve biology. This visual identity told the story of where we came from.

With this issue, you will notice a new cover and new visual imagery for the journal. The minimalist design, subtle representation of neuromuscular connectivity and homage to the World Muscle Society’s colour palette signal a transition toward the future of neuromuscular research—a field still rooted in clinical and pathologic assessment but now reshaped by molecular genetics, collaborative consortia, advanced imaging, machine learning, and transformative therapeutic development.

An important element of this evolution is the prominent introduction of the acronym NMD. While Neuromuscular Disorders remains the formal title of the journal, elevating “NMD” reflects the established identity of the journal. The acronym is already widely used across the field and familiar to our colleagues and trainees. Highlighting it on the cover signals our readiness to evolve alongside the discipline while preserving the authority, clarity, and continuity of the full title. This is not a rebranding—it is an adaptation, aligning our outward identity with the way modern neuromuscular medicine is discussed and shared.

In the coming months, you will see additional efforts to adapt and strengthen the journal. We are restructuring the associate editorial team to refine the peer-review process, enhance transparency, and increase diversity to accurately reflect the neuromuscular community. We will also revisit and update the Aims and Scope of the journal to ensure alignment with developments in the field and the interests and values of our readership. Our goal is to ensure that NMD / Neuromuscular Disorders remains the premier home for high-quality work across the full spectrum of neuromuscular medicine.

I am honoured to serve this community and deeply appreciative of the continued commitment of our managing editor, associate editors, editorial board, reviewers, and authors. Together, we will carry forward the journal’s legacy while shaping its next chapter—one that reflects both where our field has been and where it is going.

Conrad “Chris” Weihl, MD, PhD

Editor-in-Chief

Neuromuscular Disorders (NMD)