BB

Brain Behavior and Immunity

Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, founded in 1987, is the official journal of the Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society (PNIRS). It publishes peer-reviewed basic, experimental, and clinical studies on behavioral, neural, endocrine, and immune system interactions in humans and animals across neuroscience, immunology, integrative physiology, behavioral biology, psychiatry, psychology, and clinical medicine.

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Subject Immunology, Neurosciences, Psychiatry
Impact Factor 7.6
Quartile Q1
Open Access Type Hybrid
ISSN 0889-1591
eISSN 1090-2139
Invitation Only No
Cost Range Open Access APC: USD 5,400 (excluding taxes); Subscription: no publication fee charged to authors

Submission Instructions

Brain Behavior and Immunity accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.

Full-Length Research Reports

Cover Letter A cover letter is required with the submission. The cover letter should briefly state the study's aim and main findings, explain fit with the journal's scope, and emphasize novelty and broader implications.
Abstract A concise factual abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract should be unstructured.
Manuscript Full-Length Research Reports should usually present their findings within approximately 6,000 words. Articles must be divided into clearly defined and numbered sections. The manuscript must include 1 to 10 English keywords, required article highlights of 3 to 5 bullet points submitted as a separate editable file, and an end-of-manuscript generative AI declaration before the references if AI was used in preparation.
References References must use an author-date citation style. The reference list must be arranged alphabetically and then chronologically if necessary, with entries including core bibliographic details and journal names abbreviated according to standard title word abbreviations.
Figures & Tables Figures must be uploaded as separate files, while complete legends for both figures and tables should be placed at the end of the manuscript. Tables must be submitted as editable text rather than images and both figures and tables must be cited in the manuscript, numbered consecutively, and provided with captions.
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Reviews

Cover Letter A cover letter must be included with the submission. The cover letter should briefly state the study’s aim and main findings, explain fit with the journal’s scope, and emphasize novelty and broader implications.
Abstract An abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract should be unstructured.
Manuscript Reviews consist of approximately 6,000 words of text. Articles must be divided into clearly defined and numbered sections. The manuscript must include 1 to 10 English keywords, required article highlights submitted as a separate editable file with 3 to 5 bullet points, and an AI-use declaration in a new section before the references if generative AI was used in manuscript preparation.
References Reviews may include no more than 100 scientific references. References must use an author-date citation style. The reference list must be arranged alphabetically and then chronologically if needed, and journal names must be abbreviated according to the List of Title Word Abbreviations.
Figures & Tables Reviews must contain at least one figure highlighting the key aspects of the article. Figures must be supplied as separate files along with the manuscript. Tables must be submitted as editable text and figures must include explanatory captions or legends.
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Short Communications

Cover Letter A cover letter must be included with the submission. The cover letter should briefly state the study's aim and main findings, explain its fit with the journal's scope, and emphasize novelty and broader implications.
Abstract A concise factual abstract is required. Abstract must not exceed 250 words. Abstract should be unstructured.
Manuscript Short Communications are limited to 3,500 words including text and references. Articles must be divided into clearly defined and numbered sections. The manuscript must include 1 to 10 English keywords, required article highlights submitted as a separate editable file with 3 to 5 bullet points, and a generative AI declaration section before the references if AI tools were used in manuscript preparation.
References References must use an author-date citation style. The reference list must be arranged alphabetically and then chronologically if necessary, and submission may use any consistent reference format.
Figures & Tables Short Communications may include a maximum of two tables or figures, or one table and one figure. Figures must be supplied as separate files, while complete legends for figures and tables should be placed at the end of the manuscript. Tables must be submitted as editable text rather than images, and all figures and tables must be cited in the manuscript text and numbered consecutively.
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Letters To The Editor

Cover Letter A cover letter must be included with the submission. Cover letter should briefly state the study's aim and main findings, explain its fit with the journal's scope, and emphasize novelty and broader implications.
Abstract Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript Letters To The Editor must contain fewer than 500 words. A declaration statement must be added before the references if generative AI was used in manuscript preparation.
References Letters To The Editor may include no more than 5 scientific references. References must use an author-date citation style. Reference formatting may be in any consistent style at submission, with the reference list arranged alphabetically and then chronologically if needed.
Figures & Tables Figures and tables must be supplied as separate files rather than embedded only in the manuscript. Tables must be editable text and figures must each have a caption.
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Recent Publications

RNA methylation as a mediator of maternal immune activation effects

Reinmar Hager

10.1016/j.bbi.2026.106907
View Publication

Inflammation and specific symptoms of depression: cross-sectional sex-specific associations between C-reactive protein and symptoms of depression in the lifelines cohort study

Naoise Mac Giollabhui, Ravi J. Kingan, Sara R. McLain, Catharina A. Hartman, Richard T. Liu

10.1016/j.bbi.2026.107040
View Publication

Post-weaning threonine supplementation improves social memory in female offspring exposed to maternal sleep deprivation

Xiaohui Yu, Chenyu Chen, Xiao Liu, Baiyan Chen, Qiuping You, Jiaxuan Cui, Jianhan Lin, Anxin Cao, Yiran Liu, Xueyong Yin, Chao Liu, Heru Wei, Ye Zhao, Yunluo Li, Shu Yan, Libo Su, Xi Yin, Guozhong Zhang, Haishui Shi

10.1016/j.bbi.2026.107041
View Publication

Beta-adrenergic receptor mediated inhibitory control of CD16+ monocyte inflammation is associated with neurobehavioral response to social exclusion and peripheral arterial stiffness a function of HIV

R. McIntosh, R. Sharma, J.D. Lobo, K. Howard, S. Pallikkuth, P.J. Gianaros, B.E. Hurwitz

10.1016/j.bbi.2026.107039
View Publication

Gut microbiota-expressed sulfotransferase sulfonates 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and promotes depression

Zijun Li, Junchi Mei, Shaoting Wang, Juan Le, Siqing Mei, Rui Peng

10.1016/j.bbi.2026.107043
View Publication

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to publish?

Manuscripts are typically peer-reviewed and returned to authors within 30 days of submission. Median timelines are 6 days from submission to first decision, 49 days from submission to decision after review, 142 days from submission to acceptance, and 3 days from acceptance to first online publication.

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Is a cover letter required?

A cover letter should be included with submission. It should be short, focused, explain the study's aim and main findings, describe fit with the journal’s aim and scope, emphasize novelty and broader implications, and acknowledge any invitation to submit. It should not include funding information, author declarations, or suggested or opposed reviewers.

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What are the publication costs?

Open Access APC: USD 5,400 (excluding taxes). Subscription publication has no publication fee charged to authors.

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Research Topics

Tryptophan and brain disorders Stress Responses and Cortisol Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior Immune Response and Inflammation Cancer, Stress, Anesthesia, and Immune Response Pain Mechanisms and Treatments Immune Cell Function and Interaction Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology Gut microbiota and health Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research Circadian rhythm and melatonin Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research Exercise and Physiological Responses Birth, Development, and Health Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms Alzheimer's disease research and treatments Immune cells in cancer Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum Diet and metabolism studies Health, psychology, and well-being COVID-19 and Mental Health Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling Reproductive System and Pregnancy

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