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Nature Neuroscience

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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Recent Publications

An aging-sensitive secreted phospholipase confers neuroprotection and cognitive resilience

Cinzia Vicidomini, Travis D. Goode, Ruilin Yu, Iyanah Mehta, Kathleen M. McAvoy, Connor H. Beveridge, Caitlin E. Randolph, Sanjay N. Iyer, Matheus B. Victor, Noelle Leary, Liam Evans, Michael J. Steinbaugh, Zon Weng Lai, Marina C. Lyon, Manuel Rico Fernández San Silvestre, Giorgia Tosoni, Dilara Ayyildiz, Shannan Ho Sui, Kei Yamamoto, Makoto Murakami, Evgenia Salta, Li-Huei Tsai, Gaurav Chopra, Amar Sahay

10.1038/s41593-026-02465-z
View Publication

Periventricular gradient pathology is linked to ependymal reactivity and cell adhesion disruption in multiple sclerosis

Adam M. R. Groh, Elia Afanasiev, Risavarshni Thevakumaran, Finn Creeggan, Liam Callahan-Martin, Maxime Bigotte, Moein Yaqubi, Joshua Gertsvolf, Junze Pei, Hayden Wu, Judith de Vos, Maurice C. G. Aalders, Stephanie Zandee, Alexandre Prat, David A. Rudko, Jo Anne Stratton

10.1038/s41593-026-02461-3
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A half-center oscillator regulates sleep pressure

Peter S. Hasenhuetl, Raffaele Sarnataro, Eleftheria Vrontou, H. Olof Rorsman, Clifford B. Talbot, Ruth Brain, Gero Miesenböck

10.1038/s41593-026-02431-9
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5-HT2A receptors in layer 5 pyramidal neurons mediate the neuroplastic but not the hallucinogenic effects of psilocybin

Jacob J. Baker, Emily Kogan, Shaorong Ma, Ju Lu, Yi Zuo

10.1038/s41593-026-02490-y
View Publication

Spatiotemporal AI-based modeling of gene regulation and variant effects in the developing human brain using Seal

Yun Hao, Christopher Y. Park, Chandra L. Theesfeld, Olga G. Troyanskaya

10.1038/s41593-026-02470-2
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.

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Is 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.

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What 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.

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Research 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

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