Bridging the Gap
How to Prepare a High Quality Submission
The Bridging the Gap subsection focuses on basic neuroscience underlying current clinical practice for trainees. The emphasis of these manuscripts should be on the implications of recent advancements in neuroscience research for improving clinical practice in neurology. High-quality articles will be submitted as clinical case-based manuscripts. Case-based submissions will present novel diagnostic/therapeutic strategies or physical examination findings translated from neuroscience, highlighting their current use and indications in the clinic as well as their future impact. All fields of translational neuroscience are relevant, including but not limited to the description of novel disease mechanisms or innovative interpretations of known physiopathological processes, biomarkers, advanced neuroimaging, gene therapy, antisense oligonucleotides, electric or magnetic stimulation, and stem cell-based approaches. We strongly encourage trainee authors to seek the assistance of senior faculty mentor(s) with expertise in the translational aspect of the case. At initial submission, authors may include a visual abstract summarizing the key message and translational takeaway. If not provided, authors may be asked to consider a visual abstract if revision is invited.
Please send a proposal for case to rfsection@neurology.org before submission.
Organization:
Case-based submissions composed of three parts (combined maximum of 1500 words excluding abstract) incorporating the following headings:
1. Abstract - Unstructured abstract
2. Case Description - Description of a case presenting an innovative physiopathological interpretation of a known disorder, as well as novel diagnostic or therapeutic approaches (e.g. next-generation sequencing; advanced imaging modalities; antisense therapy).
3. Discussion - This section should focus on the neuroscience underlying the novel concept, its description, and how this science can be integrated into clinical practice for trainees.
References:
Up to 15 references are allowed.
Figures:
- One figure/table in the text on the clinical case presentation
- Visual abstract that visually summarizes the authors’ key messages and highlights the main clinical/translational implications. At initial submission, authors may include a visual abstract. If not provided, authors may be asked to consider a visual abstract if revision is invited.
- Image resolution should be at least 600 dpi. JPG, PPT, PDF, and GIF files may be submitted for review purposes only. If the manuscript is accepted, editable files for digital art will be required. This includes files with text and elements that are modifiable (EPS, PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, etc.). Effective use of colors can enhance the abstract both aesthetically and by focusing the reader’s attention to focal points of interest. Heavily saturated colors can be distracting.
Guidance for Preparing a Visual Abstract:
A visual abstract refers to a concise and visual summary that is specifically designed to give the readers an immediate understanding of the take-home message of the paper. The visual abstract should encourage browsing, promote interdisciplinary knowledge and help readers to quickly identify the article of interest. This is the provided template that can be downloaded.
Specifications:
A visual abstract should be a one-file image visualizing one process or expressing one point clearly. For ease of browsing, the visual abstract should have a definite start and end, ideally “reading” from left to right or top to bottom.
Content:
- Keep it simple
- Identify 1-3 key points in the manuscript.
- Build a slide with one panel for each point (max. 85 characters) using the template for a visual abstract.
- Include visuals to convey each key point
- Use simple labels.
- Use text sparingly
- Avoid distracting and cluttering elements.
Please do not use unnecessary white space or heading “visual abstract” within the figure. If using green, please use the Journal green: #006D48. If possible, use Open Sans font. Open Sans can be downloaded or free at fontsquirrel.com. The title must be Open Sans size 18. The information within the slide must be Open Sans bold size 18. Do not resize the Neurology nor the AAN logos. If you re-size, the manuscript will be returned to you for revision.
Verify that images or illustrations used are free and open use and are not under copyright. Websites are available with images that are free to use under the creative commons license. However, if you provide stock images, you must state in the cover letter the source and creative commons license information. Your submission will be returned if this information is not supplied.
Tips:
Platforms to create visual abstracts include both offline (Adobe Illustrator, Edraw) and online tools (Biorender, Mind the Graph, and Sci Draw). Useful tips can be found here: