- Open access · CC BY 4.0
- Published by Open Access Pub
Aims and Scope
The International Epilepsy Journal publishes research on epilepsy and seizure disorders, from basic to clinical research.
What the journal sets out to do
- To publish rigorous research that advances the understanding of the mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment and consequences of epilepsy and seizure disorders.
- To connect laboratory, translational and clinical research, so that findings in one setting inform work in the others.
- To report evidence that supports clinical practice and care for people with epilepsy of every age, in every region.
- To make this research openly available, so that researchers, clinicians and educators can read and reuse it freely.
Nine research areas
IEJ considers research on epilepsy and seizure disorders, from basic to clinical research. The journal welcomes work from the full range of disciplines that contribute to the field, and each of the nine areas below is within scope.
- C01 Clinical epileptology. Diagnosis, classification and management of seizures and epilepsy in children and adults, including status epilepticus and long-term outcomes.
- C02 Epilepsy syndromes. Electroclinical syndromes and developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, their genetics, course and treatment.
- C03 Neurophysiology and EEG. Electroencephalography, long-term monitoring, evoked potentials, source analysis and signal-processing methods for seizure detection and prediction.
- C04 Neuroimaging. Structural, functional and molecular imaging for localizing the epileptogenic zone and for understanding the networks involved in seizures.
- C05 Pediatric epilepsy. Epilepsy in infancy, childhood and adolescence, including neurodevelopmental outcomes and transition to adult care.
- C06 Pharmacotherapy. Antiseizure medications, their mechanisms, efficacy, safety, interactions and use in special populations, and other medical therapies.
- C07 Epilepsy surgery. Presurgical evaluation, resective and disconnective surgery, neuromodulation and their outcomes.
- C08 Basic and translational research. Mechanisms of seizure generation and epileptogenesis, genetics, animal and cellular models, biomarkers and new therapeutic targets.
- C09 Comorbidities and quality of life. Cognitive, psychiatric and somatic comorbidities, psychosocial effects, stigma, safety and care delivery for people with epilepsy.
Contributions from the clinical, laboratory, imaging, computational and social sciences are welcome when they address a question about epilepsy or seizure disorders.
What makes a manuscript a fit
Manuscripts are assessed for their relevance to epilepsy and seizure disorders, the soundness of their methods and whether their conclusions are proportionate to the evidence.
Case reports
Case Reports, including short case series, are accepted when the case carries a clear lesson for diagnosis, treatment or understanding of epilepsy.
Perspectives and editorials
Perspectives make a reasoned, evidence-based argument on a question in epilepsy. Editorials are commissioned by the editors.
Letters and data notes
Letters respond to articles published in IEJ. Data Notes describe datasets of value to epilepsy research, with their collection, quality and access.
Article types
The journal publishes the article types below. Guidance on the structure and reporting standard for each type is given in the Instructions for Authors.
- Original Research. Empirical studies of epilepsy and seizure disorders, from laboratory and translational work to clinical and population research.
- Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Systematic syntheses of evidence on a defined epilepsy question, with or without meta-analysis.
- Short Communication. Concise reports of a focused or preliminary finding of importance to epilepsy research or care.
- Case Report. Individual cases or short case series with a clear lesson for diagnosis, treatment or understanding of epilepsy.
- Perspective. Reasoned expert viewpoints on a current question in epilepsy, supported by evidence and cited sources.
- Editorial. Commentary commissioned by the editors on a topic or on articles in the journal.
- Letter. Brief responses to articles published in IEJ, or short observations of relevance to epilepsy.
- Data Note. Descriptions of datasets of value to epilepsy research, with their collection, quality and access.
Where a manuscript sits between types, authors choose the closest type and explain the choice in the cover letter, and the editors confirm the classification.
Scope questions
Is my topic within scope?
A manuscript is within scope when it addresses a question about epilepsy or seizure disorders, whatever its discipline or setting. If you are unsure, send the title and abstract to the editorial office at info@openaccesspub.org before submitting.
Are basic science studies within scope?
Yes. Studies of mechanisms, models, genetics and biomarkers are considered when they bear on epilepsy or seizure disorders.
Can I submit work that has been posted as a preprint?
Yes. Posting a preprint is compatible with submission to IEJ. Cite the preprint and its DOI in the cover letter.
Preparing a submission
Read the Instructions for Authors and the Editorial Policies before submitting.