Overview
Submission Instructions
Recent Publications
Frequently Asked Questions
Research Topics
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Nature Reviews Neuroscience is a journal publishing reviews and analysis, perspectives, roadmaps, comments, research highlights, journal club articles, tools of the trade, and correspondence in neuroscience.
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Subject
Neurosciences
Impact Factor
26.7
Quartile
Q1
Open Access Type
Closed
ISSN
1471-003X
eISSN
1471-0048
Invitation Only
Yes
Cost Range
We do not charge a fee for publication.
Submission Instructions
Nature Reviews Neuroscience is an invitation-only journal. Submissions are accepted by invitation from the editorial board only. The following article types are accepted:
Review-Type Articles
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
A proposal synopsis must include a 200-word abstract, and the submitted article abstract should be unstructured and ideally no more than 200 words. The proposal synopsis abstract must be 200 words, and the article abstract should ideally not exceed 200 words. The article abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
The manuscript should begin with an introductory section without subheadings and end with a brief concluding summary section without subheadings. A proposal synopsis must include a brief description of the main article sections, a list of key references, and the list of authors and their affiliations, and key points may be included as 4–6 bullet points of 30 words or fewer each.
References
Approximately 25 references per 1,000 words should be included. References must use Nature Reviews style. References must be cited as sequential superscript numbers, and if a reference has six or more authors only the first author should be listed followed by 'et al.'.
Figures & Tables
Display items are limited to 7 or fewer tables, figures and boxes in total. Tables must be provided as part of the article document, while tables containing graphical content must be provided as separate image files. Display items must be cited in the main text in order, figures and boxes must have a short title, figures must include a concise legend and full labelling, and tables must have a short title with all abbreviations defined.
Technical Review
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
An unstructured abstract is required. Abstract should ideally be no more than 200 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Manuscript should begin with an introduction without subheadings and end with a brief concluding summary section without subheadings. Manuscript must include a competing interests declaration within the text, and any use of an LLM must be documented in the Methods section or another suitable section if no Methods section is available.
References
References should be included at approximately 25 per 1,000 words. References must use Nature Reviews style. References must be cited as superscript numbers in sequential order of main text, tables, figures, and then boxes, and references with six or more authors should list only the first author followed by 'et al.'.
Figures & Tables
Display items are limited to 7 or fewer tables, figures, and boxes in total. Tables must be provided as part of the article document, while tables containing graphical content must be provided as separate image files. Display items must be cited in the main text in order in the format (FIG. 1), tables and figures must have short titles, figures must be fully labelled with concise legends, and all abbreviations in tables and figures must be defined.
Consensus Statement
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
An unstructured abstract is required. Abstract should ideally be no more than 200 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Manuscript must include an introduction without subheadings, a Methods section describing methodology including search strategy, decision-making process, inclusion and/or exclusion criteria where relevant and details about all stakeholders, and end with a brief summary section without subheadings. Competing interests must be included in the manuscript file, and any use of an LLM must be documented in the Methods section or another suitable section if no Methods section is available.
References
References should be approximately 25 per 1,000 words. References must use Nature Reviews style. References must be cited as sequential superscript numbers, listed in the order of main text, tables, figures and then boxes, and for works with six or more authors only the first author should be listed followed by 'et al.'.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 7 display items, including tables, figures and boxes, is allowed. Tables and boxes must be provided as part of the article document. Display items must be cited in the main text in order in the format (FIG. 1).
Evidence-Based Guidelines
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
An unstructured abstract is required. Abstract should ideally be no more than 200 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Manuscript must include an introductory section without subheadings, a Methods section describing the methodology and stakeholders, and end with a brief summary section without subheadings. Competing interests must be included in the manuscript file, and any use of an LLM must be documented in the Methods section or a suitable alternative part of the manuscript.
References
References should be approximately 25 per 1,000 words. References must use Nature Reviews style. References must be cited as sequential superscript numbers, listed in the order main text, tables, figures and then boxes, and references with six or more authors should list only the first author followed by 'et al.'.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 7 display items, including tables, figures and boxes, is allowed. Display items must be cited in the main text in order in the format (FIG. 1).
Roadmap
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
An unstructured abstract is required. Abstract should ideally be no more than 200 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Manuscript must include an introductory section without subheadings, may use up to three heading levels, and must end with a brief concluding summary section without subheadings. Manuscript must include competing interests declared within the text and should document any use of a Large Language Model in the Methods section or another suitable section if no Methods section is available.
References
References should be included at approximately 25 per 1,000 words, with highlighted references comprising 5-10% of the total. References must use Nature Reviews style. References must be cited as sequential superscript numbers in the order of main text, tables, figures, and then boxes, and references with six or more authors should list only the first author followed by 'et al.'.
Figures & Tables
Display items are limited to 7 or fewer tables, figures, and boxes in total. Tables must be provided as part of the article document, while tables containing graphical content must be provided as separate image files. Display items must be cited in the main text in order, figures and boxes must have short titles, figures must be fully labelled with concise legends defining abbreviations, and tables must have a short title with all cells completed and abbreviations defined.
Correspondence
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
Abstract requirements are not specified.
Manuscript
Main text must not exceed 500 words. The first paragraph must cite the original article, and no more than two levels of headings are allowed. Competing interests must be included within the text of the manuscript, and any use of an LLM must be documented in the Methods section or another suitable section if no Methods section is available.
References
Articles must include no more than 10 references. References must use the Nature Reviews reference style. References must be cited as superscript numbers in sequential order of main text, tables, figures, and boxes, and references with six or more authors should list only the first author followed by 'et al.'.
Figures & Tables
Only one display item can be included. Tables and boxes must be provided as part of the article document. Figures and boxes must have a short title, figures must be fully labelled with a concise legend defining abbreviations, and tables must have a short title and no legend.
Expert Recommendation
Cover Letter
Cover Letter requirements are not specified.
Abstract
An unstructured abstract is required. Abstract should ideally be no more than 200 words. Abstract must be unstructured.
Manuscript
Manuscript must include an introductory section without subheadings and may use up to three levels of headings. Competing interests must be included in the manuscript file, and any use of an LLM must be documented in the Methods section or another suitable section if there is no Methods section.
References
References should be approximately 25 per 1,000 words. References must use Nature Reviews style. References must be cited as sequential superscript numbers, listed in the order of main text, tables, figures, and then boxes, and references with six or more authors should list only the first author followed by 'et al.'.
Figures & Tables
A maximum of 7 display items, including tables, figures and boxes, is allowed. Tables and boxes should be provided as part of the article document. Display items must be cited in the main text in order in the format (FIG. 1).
Recent Publications
Neurogenic signatures of cognitive decline and resilience
Katherine Whalley
10.1038/s41583-026-01040-6
View Publication
Large-scale electrophysiology at single-spike resolution
Joshua H. Siegle, Nicholas A. Steinmetz
10.1038/s41583-026-01042-4
View Publication
Wired for immunity: neuroimmune control of the lung by sensory neurons
Anna M. Ehlers, Idaira M. Guerrero-Fonseca, Christophe Altier, Bryan G. Yipp, Sebastien Talbot
10.1038/s41583-026-01046-0
View Publication
Making the primate cortex ‘see’ with mesoscale optogenetics
Hao Li
10.1038/s41583-026-01044-2
View Publication
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to publish?
Median time from submission to first editorial decision is 17 days. Median time from submission to acceptance is 152 days.
Reformat to Nature Reviews Neuroscience using Livewrite PremiumWhat are the publication costs?
Articles are published through the subscription route and there is no fee for publication.
Reformat to Nature Reviews Neuroscience using Livewrite PremiumResearch Topics
Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Neural dynamics and brain function
Memory and Neural Mechanisms
Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Photoreceptor and optogenetics research
Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Functional Brain Connectivity Studies
Axon Guidance and Neuronal Signaling
Neuroendocrine regulation and behavior
Circadian rhythm and melatonin
Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
Receptor Mechanisms and Signaling
Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior
Stress Responses and Cortisol
Ion channel regulation and function
Olfactory and Sensory Function Studies
Nerve injury and regeneration
Neuroscience and Neural Engineering
Genetic Neurodegenerative Diseases
Cellular transport and secretion