Nature Reviews Neurology is a monthly review journal published by Nature Portfolio, designed to serve the neurology and neuroscience communities. Its mission is to publish authoritative and accessible review content that synthesizes recent advancements in the field. The journal distills complex research findings into understandable summaries for both specialists and those in related disciplines.
Established in 2005 as Nature Clinical Practice Neurology, it was rebranded in 2009 to reflect a broader scope. This focus on expert-written reviews helps bridge the gap between primary research and clinical application, making it a resource for staying current with discovery in neurological science.
Journal Scope and Content
The scope of Nature Reviews Neurology encompasses a wide spectrum of neurological science, covering both clinical practice and fundamental neuroscience research. It addresses the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Major areas of focus include neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and movement disorders.
The journal is recognized for its diverse article formats, each serving a distinct purpose:
- Review Articles: These are comprehensive, evidence-based overviews of specific topics, placing current knowledge in the context of the field’s history and development.
- Perspectives: These articles present a forward-looking or opinion-driven viewpoint to stimulate discussion and propose new directions for investigation.
- Consensus Statements: These articles delineate recommendations and guidelines formulated by expert panels, providing standardized approaches to diagnosis and treatment.
- Research Highlights: This format offers concise summaries of important new findings from other journals.
- News & Views: These are brief pieces that contextualize a recent research paper, often one published within the Nature Portfolio.
Readership and Impact in the Scientific Community
The readership of Nature Reviews Neurology includes practicing clinical neurologists, neuroscientists engaged in basic and translational research, academics, and postgraduate students. The content is curated to be valuable to this wide range of experts by providing both in-depth clinical discussions and accessible summaries of foundational science.
A journal’s influence is often measured by its Journal Impact Factor (JIF), a metric reflecting the average number of citations received by its articles over two years. According to the 2021 Journal Citation Reports, Nature Reviews Neurology had an impact factor of 44.711, placing it 2nd out of 212 journals in the “Clinical Neurology” category. A newer report from June 2024 lists the impact factor as 28.2. This high ranking places it among the most elite publications in its field, alongside other top-tier journals such as The Lancet Neurology and JAMA Neurology.
The Editorial and Submission Process
A defining characteristic of Nature Reviews Neurology is its editorial process, which relies on a team of in-house professional editors rather than an external academic board. The majority of the journal’s primary content, including Review Articles and Perspectives, is commissioned. This means editors identify topics of current interest and invite leading experts to write on them, allowing the journal to maintain a consistent standard and ensure comprehensive coverage.
While most content is solicited, the journal considers unsolicited proposals through a presubmission inquiry process. Prospective authors submit a proposal that includes an abstract, a list of authors, and a justification for why the topic is timely. This step allows the editorial team to provide feedback on a topic’s suitability before an author invests time in writing a full manuscript.
Every manuscript, whether commissioned or proposed, undergoes a thorough evaluation. The process begins with an assessment by the in-house editorial team to ensure the topic fits the journal’s standards. If it proceeds, the manuscript is sent for external peer review, where experts assess the accuracy, clarity, and balance of the content. The journal also emphasizes high-quality illustrations, which are often professionally edited to enhance the educational value of the articles.
Landmark Topics and Thematic Focus
Nature Reviews Neurology has shaped the scientific conversation around several landmark topics. Its coverage of neurodegenerative diseases, for instance, demonstrates its impact on the field. The journal has featured numerous articles on the evolving understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly concerning the development and validation of fluid and imaging biomarkers.
In the area of multiple sclerosis (MS), the journal has provided comprehensive overviews of the rapidly changing treatment landscape. These reviews have charted the progression from first-generation injectable therapies to newer oral and infusion-based disease-modifying treatments. The articles detail the mechanisms of action of these drugs, their efficacy and safety profiles, and their place in clinical practice.
The journal has also made contributions to the field of Parkinson’s disease. It has published reviews that clarify the complex genetics of the disease, outlining the roles of genes such as SNCA, LRRK2, and GBA. Furthermore, it has been a platform for discussing the spread of protein aggregates, such as alpha-synuclein, throughout the nervous system, a key area of research into the disease’s progression.