1. Scope & Editorial Mission

The Neuroscience discipline within Aevum Encyclopedia covers the scientific study of the nervous system, including neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and clinical neurology. All entries must maintain scientific rigor, interdisciplinary clarity, and accessibility for both academic and educated general audiences.

🎯 Core Principle

Neuroscience entries must bridge fundamental mechanisms with functional implications, avoiding reductionism while maintaining mechanistic precision.

2. Citation & Source Verification

All claims, classifications, and mechanistic descriptions must be anchored to peer-reviewed literature. Aevum follows a modified APA 7th citation standard, augmented with DOI and PubMed ID requirements.

  • Primary Sources: Original research articles in indexed journals (Impact Factor ≥ 2.0 preferred, with exceptions for landmark historical papers).
  • Review Articles: Accepted for contextual framing, but not for primary mechanistic claims.
  • Grey Literature: Conference abstracts, preprints, and institutional reports may be cited only when primary data is unavailable, and must be clearly flagged as such.
  • AI-Generated Content: Must not be cited as a primary source. AI may only be used for synthesis drafting, with full human verification required.
⚠️ Verification Requirement

Any claim regarding neural circuitry, receptor pharmacology, or diagnostic criteria must be cross-referenced with at least two independent primary studies or an established clinical guideline (e.g., NICE, AAN, DSM-5-TR).

3. Article Structure

Standard neuroscience entries must follow a consistent hierarchical structure to ensure navigability and machine-readability for the Aevum Knowledge Graph.

Section Requirements Length
Overview & Definition Clear, concise scope statement; distinguish from adjacent fields 150–250 words
Historical Context Key discoveries, paradigm shifts, seminal figures 200–400 words
Mechanisms & Physiology Cellular/molecular/circuit-level details; include models 400–800 words
Clinical & Translational Relevance Disease associations, biomarkers, therapeutic implications 300–600 words
Current Research Frontiers Open questions, emerging methodologies, debate areas 200–400 words
References & Further Reading Minimum 8 primary sources; 3–5 curated reviews Structured list

4. Terminology & Nomenclature Standards

Precise language is non-negotiable in neuroscience. Authors must adhere to established nomenclature bodies and avoid colloquial or historically inaccurate terms.

Terminologia Anatomica (TA)
Mandatory for all neuroanatomical references (e.g., use substantia nigra pars compacta, not "black substance").
MeSH / NeuroVoc
Preferred for functional and systems-level terminology. Synonyms must be mapped to canonical identifiers.
Neuroimaging Metrics
Use standard conventions: BOLD, fMRI, EEG/MEG, DWI/DTI. Always specify resolution, preprocessing pipeline, and correction methods (e.g., FSL, AFNI, SPM).
🚫 Prohibited Terminology

Avoid "mind reading", "brainwashing", "emotional brain vs rational brain", and "left-brain/right-brain personality". These are scientifically invalid and perpetuate neuro-myths.

5. Clinical & Translational Research

Entries covering neurological and psychiatric conditions must distinguish between established clinical evidence, emerging biomarkers, and experimental therapeutics.

  • Diagnostic Criteria: Reference current standards (DSM-5-TR, ICD-11, AAN guidelines). Note regional or population-specific variations where applicable.
  • Pharmacology: Include mechanism of action, approved indications, contraindications, and evidence grade. Off-label uses must be explicitly labeled.
  • Neuroethics: Address privacy, informed consent, algorithmic bias, and cognitive liberty where relevant (especially for BCI and neuro-AI topics).

6. Peer Review Workflow

All neuroscience submissions undergo a three-tier review process:

  1. Automated Screening: AI-assisted checks for citation validity, terminology compliance, and structural integrity.
  2. Domain Expert Review: Two independent reviewers (one academic, one clinical/translational) assess scientific accuracy and clarity.
  3. Editorial Finalization: Senior editor verifies alignment with Aevum standards, resolves conflicts, and approves publication.

Revisions must be documented in the article's changelog. Disputed claims undergo mediation by the Neuroscience Editorial Committee.

7. Versioning & Maintenance

Neuroscience is a rapidly evolving field. All entries must be reviewed quarterly for accuracy, with mandatory updates triggered by:

  • Major guideline revisions (e.g., new diagnostic classifications)
  • High-impact publications overturning established mechanisms
  • FDA/EMA approvals or withdrawals of neurotherapeutics

Version history is publicly accessible. Deprecated content is archived and linked to current standards to preserve scholarly context.

🔄 Continuous Improvement

Contributors are encouraged to submit revision requests via the Aevum Platform. Prioritized updates are coordinated through the discipline's editorial calendar.