Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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Nature Neuroscience publishes neuroscience research and related content including Articles, Reviews, Analysis, News & Views, Research Briefings, Comments and Technical Reports.
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Subject
Neurosciences
Impact Factor
20
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Hybrid
ISSN
1097-6256
eISSN
1546-1726
Invitation Only
No
Cost Range
Article Processing Charge (APC) applies for gold Open Access articles.
Submission Instructions
Nature Neuroscience accepts the following article types. Click on an article type to view submission instructions.
Article
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required with the submission. The cover letter must explain the importance of the work, why it is appropriate for the diverse readership of Nature Neuroscience, disclose any related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state any prior discussions with a Nature Neuroscience editor about the work.
Abstract
An abstract is required. The abstract must be unreferenced and no more than 150 words. The abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
The main text must be no more than 4,500 words, excluding the abstract, Methods, references and figure legends. The manuscript must be divided into Introduction without a heading, Results with topical subheadings, Discussion without subheadings, and Online Methods with topical subheadings. The manuscript must include a Methods section, a reference list, and documentation of any Large Language Model use in the Methods section or a suitable alternative part if no Methods section is available.
References
Articles should typically include no more than 50 references. References must be numbered sequentially in citation order, only one publication may be given for each reference, and titles of cited articles are required in the reference list.
Figures & Tables
Articles must include 3 to 8 display items in total, comprising figures and/or tables. Tables must be included at the end of the text document, while complex tables may be submitted as a separate Excel file. A maximum of 10 Extended Data display items is permitted.
Resource
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must explain the importance of the work, explain why it is appropriate for the diverse readership of Nature Neuroscience, disclose related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state any prior discussions with a Nature Neuroscience editor about the work.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be unreferenced and no longer than 150 words. Abstract structure is not specified.
Manuscript
Main text must be no more than 4,500 words excluding abstract, online Methods, references and figure legends. Manuscript must be divided into Introduction without a heading, Results with topical subheadings, Discussion without subheadings, and Online Methods with topical subheadings. Manuscript must document any use of a Large Language Model in the Methods section or in a suitable alternative part if no Methods section is available.
References
Resources should typically include no more than 50 references. References must be numbered sequentially in the order of main text, tables, figure legends, box, methods, data availability section, and extended data, with only one publication listed per reference.
Figures & Tables
Resources may include up to 8 display items consisting of figures and/or tables. Tables must be included at the end of the text document, although complex tables can be submitted as a separate Excel file.
Review
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must explain the importance of the work, why it suits the diverse readership of Nature Neuroscience, disclose related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state any prior discussions with a Nature Neuroscience editor.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Review main text must not exceed 6,000 words. Review articles should not include original previously unpublished results or data and may contain only minimal new supporting research findings. Manuscript must document any use of a Large Language Model in the Methods section or, if no Methods section is available, in another suitable part of the manuscript.
References
Reviews may include up to 200 references, with exceptions possible in special cases. References must be numbered sequentially in citation order, include article titles in the reference list, and list only one publication per reference.
Figures & Tables
Reviews may include up to 8 display items. Tables must be included at the end of the text document, while complex tables may be submitted as a separate Excel file.
Registered Report
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter should explain the importance of the work, why it is appropriate for the diverse readership of Nature Neuroscience, disclose any related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state any prior discussions with a Nature Neuroscience editor.
Abstract
An abstract is required and must be unreferenced. Abstract must be up to 150 words. Abstract structure is not specified beyond being unreferenced.
Manuscript
Stage 2 Registered Report main text may be up to 5,000 words with editorial discretion. Stage 2 Registered Reports must be divided into Introduction without a heading, Results, Discussion and Online Methods, with topical subheadings in Results and Methods and no subheadings in the Discussion. Manuscript must include a title and author list, acknowledgements, author contributions, competing interests, a reference list, and documentation of any Large Language Model use in the Methods section or a suitable alternative section if no Methods section is available.
References
Registered Reports should typically include up to 50 references. References must be numbered sequentially in the order they appear in the main text, tables, figure legends, box, methods, data availability section, and extended data, with only one publication listed per reference.
Figures & Tables
Stage 2 Registered Reports may include up to 8 figures and/or tables. Tables must be included at the end of the text document. Registered Reports may be accompanied by supplementary information.
Brief Communication
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter must explain the importance of the work, why it is appropriate for the diverse readership of Nature Neuroscience, disclose related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state any prior discussions with a Nature Neuroscience editor.
Abstract
An abstract is required. Abstract must be 3 sentences and no more than 70 words. Abstract must be unstructured and unreferenced. Abstract must not contain headings.
Manuscript
Main text must be 1,000–1,500 words excluding abstract, references, and figure legends. Brief Communication must contain no headings and must include an Online Methods section. Use of a Large Language Model must be documented in the Methods section or a suitable alternative part if a Methods section is not available.
References
Brief Communications should typically include up to 25 references. References must be numbered sequentially in citation order. Reference list must omit article titles and include only one publication per reference.
Figures & Tables
Brief Communications may include up to 3 display items. Tables must be included at the end of the text document.
Technical Report
Cover Letter
A cover letter is required. Cover letter should explain the importance of the work, why it is appropriate for the diverse readership of Nature Neuroscience, disclose related manuscripts under consideration or in press elsewhere, and state any prior discussions with a Nature Neuroscience editor.
Abstract
An abstract is required and must be unreferenced. Abstract should typically be 150 words. Abstract must be unstructured. No abstract headings are specified.
Manuscript
Manuscript must begin with an abstract and be followed by separate Introduction, Results, Discussion and Methods sections. Use of a Large Language Model must be documented in the Methods section or in a suitable alternative part if a Methods section is not available.
References
References should typically be limited to up to 50. References must be numbered sequentially in the order of appearance across the main text, tables, figure legends, boxes, methods and extended data, with only one publication listed per reference.
Figures & Tables
Technical Reports may include 5–8 display items, including figures and tables. Tables must be included at the end of the text document, while complex tables can be submitted as a separate Excel file.
Recent Publications
Human hippocampal ripples coordinate planning sequences and compositional representations in neocortex
Li He, Xiongfei Wang, Jinbo Zhang, Zhibing Xiao, Xiangyu Hu, Philipp Schwartenbeck, Jacob Bakermans, Tim Behrens, Yunzhe Liu
10.1038/s41593-026-02291-3
View Publication
Molecular mechanism of calcium permeability and magnesium block in NMDA receptors
Ruben Steigerwald, Max Epstein, Tsung-Han Chou, Noriko Simorowski, Hiro Furukawa
10.1038/s41593-026-02283-3
View Publication
Astrocytic cholesterol jams brain clearance in AD
Daan Verhaege, Jonathan Kipnis
10.1038/s41593-026-02310-3
View Publication
Phasing out animal research prematurely will maintain gender inequities in medicine
Irina Kovlyagina, Ivana Jaric
10.1038/s41593-026-02309-w
View Publication
Stochastic growth and ligand–receptor interaction-mediated stabilization generate stereotyped dendritic arbors
Rebecca Shi, Xue Yan Ho, Li Tao, Landon Bayless-Edwards, Caitlin A. Taylor, Ting Zhao, Wei Zou, Malcolm Lizzappi, Kelsie Eichel, Tianyi Mao, Kang Shen
10.1038/s41593-026-02278-0
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Submission to first editorial decision: 9 median days. Submission to acceptance: 399 median days.
Reformat to Nature Neuroscience using Livewrite PremiumIs a cover letter required?
A cover letter is required for revised manuscripts when requested in the editor’s decision email and should provide any additional information requested by the editors.
Reformat to Nature Neuroscience using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Article Processing Charge (APC) applies when a manuscript is accepted for gold Open Access publication; subscription publishing is also available for eligible article types.
Reformat to Nature Neuroscience using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Neural dynamics and brain function
Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Visual perception and processing mechanisms
Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
Ion channel regulation and function
Retinal Development and Disorders
Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Circadian rhythm and melatonin
EEG and Brain-Computer Interfaces
Nerve injury and regeneration
Stress Responses and Cortisol
Alzheimer's disease research and treatments