Aims & Scope
Journal of Spine and Neuroscience (JSN) publishes mechanistic research elucidating the molecular and cellular pathophysiology of spinal and neurological disorders. We focus on disease mechanisms, biomarker discovery, and pathogenic pathways-not clinical management or therapeutic protocols.
Research Scope: Tiered Structure
Neurodegenerative Disease Mechanisms
- Protein aggregation pathways in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and prion diseases
- Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress mechanisms
- Neuroinflammatory cascades and microglial activation
- Synaptic degeneration and neuronal death pathways
- Genetic mutations and molecular risk factors
- Autophagy dysregulation in neurodegeneration
"Alpha-synuclein oligomerization triggers mitochondrial fragmentation via Drp1 phosphorylation in dopaminergic neurons: implications for Parkinson's disease pathogenesis"
Spinal Cord Pathophysiology
- Molecular mechanisms of spinal cord injury and secondary damage
- Demyelination pathways in multiple sclerosis and transverse myelitis
- Inflammatory mediators in spinal stenosis and spondylosis
- Cellular responses to mechanical compression and ischemia
- Biomarkers for spinal cord degeneration and regeneration
- Molecular basis of spinal muscular atrophy
"TNF-alpha-mediated blood-spinal cord barrier disruption in cervical spondylotic myelopathy: identification of therapeutic targets through proteomic analysis"
Pain Pathophysiology & Neuropathy
- Molecular mechanisms of neuropathic pain signaling
- Ion channel dysfunction in peripheral neuropathy
- Central sensitization pathways in chronic pain
- Inflammatory mediators in radiculopathy and sciatica
- Molecular basis of fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndromes
- Nerve injury and regeneration mechanisms
"Nav1.7 channel upregulation in dorsal root ganglia following lumbar disc herniation: molecular pathway linking mechanical compression to neuropathic pain"
Cerebrovascular & Neurological Disorders
- Molecular mechanisms of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke
- Blood-brain barrier dysfunction in neurological disease
- Excitotoxicity and calcium dysregulation pathways
- Molecular basis of epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Vascular dementia pathogenesis and biomarkers
- Traumatic brain injury cascade mechanisms
"NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity in penumbral neurons following middle cerebral artery occlusion: temporal dynamics and therapeutic window identification"
Neuroimmunology & Inflammation
- Autoimmune mechanisms in neurological disorders
- Cytokine signaling in neuroinflammation
- Immune cell infiltration pathways
- Molecular basis of neuroimmune interactions
Genetic & Molecular Mechanisms
- Gene mutations in hereditary spinal/neural disorders
- Epigenetic modifications in disease progression
- RNA dysregulation and splicing defects
- Molecular pathways in genetic syndromes
Biomarker Discovery & Validation
- Protein biomarkers for disease diagnosis/prognosis
- Metabolomic signatures in neurological disorders
- Circulating biomarkers for spinal pathology
- Molecular imaging markers for disease progression
Disease Models & Mechanisms
- Animal models of spinal/neural pathology
- In vitro disease modeling systems
- Cellular mechanisms in disease models
- Translational mechanistic studies
Neurotransmitter Systems
- Receptor dysfunction in disease states
- Synaptic transmission defects
- Neurotransmitter metabolism alterations
- Signaling pathway dysregulation
Autonomic Nervous System Pathology
- Molecular basis of autonomic dysfunction
- Sympathetic/parasympathetic pathway alterations
- Autonomic biomarkers in disease
- Cellular mechanisms of dysautonomia
Selective Consideration with Additional Review
The following areas are considered when they provide novel mechanistic insights into spinal or neurological pathophysiology. Submissions must emphasize molecular/cellular mechanisms rather than clinical applications or computational methods alone.
Neuroimaging Biomarkers
- Molecular correlates of imaging findings
- Imaging-pathology correlation studies
- Novel imaging biomarkers with mechanistic validation
Computational Pathophysiology
- Systems biology of disease mechanisms
- Network analysis of molecular pathways
- AI-driven mechanistic discovery (with validation)
Neuroplasticity Mechanisms
- Molecular basis of maladaptive plasticity
- Cellular mechanisms in disease-related reorganization
- Synaptic plasticity defects in pathology
Sleep Disorder Pathophysiology
- Molecular mechanisms of sleep-wake dysregulation
- Circadian pathway dysfunction in disease
- Sleep-related biomarkers for neurological disorders
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Original Research Articles
Comprehensive mechanistic studies with novel findings on disease pathways, molecular mechanisms, or biomarker discovery. Must include rigorous experimental validation and statistical analysis. 4,000-8,000 words.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Comprehensive synthesis of mechanistic evidence on specific pathophysiological questions. Must follow PRISMA guidelines and include mechanistic pathway analysis. 6,000-10,000 words.
Methods & Protocols
Novel methodologies for investigating disease mechanisms, biomarker assays, or molecular pathway analysis. Must demonstrate validation and reproducibility. 3,000-6,000 words.
Short Communications
Preliminary findings, novel observations, or technical advances in pathophysiology research. Must present significant mechanistic insights. 1,500-3,000 words.
Data Notes
High-quality datasets on disease mechanisms, molecular profiles, or biomarker panels with potential for reuse. Must include comprehensive metadata and validation. 1,000-2,500 words.
Perspectives & Commentaries
Expert analysis of emerging mechanistic concepts, controversial findings, or future directions in pathophysiology research. By invitation or proposal. 2,000-4,000 words.
Rarely Considered
Case Reports: Only accepted when presenting unprecedented mechanistic insights with molecular investigation. Opinion Pieces: Must be data-driven and focus on pathophysiological mechanisms, not clinical practice opinions. Letters to Editor: Reserved for substantive scientific discourse on published mechanistic findings.
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- Animal Studies: ARRIVE 2.0 guidelines mandatory
- Systematic Reviews: PRISMA 2020 checklist required
- Observational Studies: STROBE guidelines when applicable
- Diagnostic Studies: STARD guidelines for biomarker validation
- Genetic Studies: STREGA guidelines for genetic associations
Data & Materials Policy
- Raw data deposition in public repositories required
- Omics data: GEO, ArrayExpress, or equivalent
- Protein data: ProteomeXchange or PRIDE
- Code availability for computational analyses
- Materials sharing statement mandatory
Ethics & Compliance
- IRB/Ethics committee approval for human studies
- IACUC approval for animal research
- Informed consent documentation
- Conflict of interest disclosure required
- Funding source transparency mandatory
Preprint & Prior Publication
- Preprint deposition encouraged (bioRxiv, medRxiv)
- Conference abstracts do not preclude submission
- Prior publication in thesis repositories acceptable
- Duplicate submission prohibited
- Preprint DOI must be disclosed at submission
Editorial Decision Metrics
Desk Rejection Criteria
Manuscripts are desk-rejected without peer review if they: (1) focus on clinical treatment/management without mechanistic investigation, (2) lack molecular/cellular data, (3) present purely epidemiological or behavioral findings, (4) describe surgical techniques or device development without pathophysiology, or (5) fall outside the explicit scope boundaries defined above. Authors receive feedback within 5-7 days.
Uncertain if your research fits our scope? Contact our editorial team for pre-submission inquiry.
[email protected]
