Aims & Scope
International Epilepsy Journal (IEJ) publishes rigorous, multidisciplinary research advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of epilepsy and seizure disorders across the lifespan. We prioritize mechanistic studies, clinical innovations, and translational research that bridges neuroscience, genetics, and clinical practice.
Research Domains
Seizure Pathophysiology & Mechanisms
Fundamental research on the neurobiological basis of epilepsy and seizure generation.
- Neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in epilepsy
- Ion channel dysfunction and channelopathies
- Network dynamics and seizure propagation
- Epileptogenesis and acquired epilepsy models
- Neurotransmitter systems in seizure control
- Inflammatory mechanisms in epilepsy
Epilepsy Genetics & Molecular Biology
Genetic architecture, molecular pathways, and precision medicine approaches in epilepsy.
- Monogenic and polygenic epilepsy syndromes
- Somatic mosaicism in focal epilepsies
- Gene-environment interactions in epileptogenesis
- Functional validation of epilepsy-associated variants
- Epigenetic regulation in seizure susceptibility
- Pharmacogenomics of antiseizure medications
Clinical Epileptology & Diagnostics
Advances in clinical assessment, diagnostic technologies, and seizure classification.
- EEG biomarkers and advanced neurophysiology
- Neuroimaging in epilepsy (MRI, PET, MEG)
- Seizure semiology and syndrome classification
- Differential diagnosis of paroxysmal events
- Epilepsy monitoring and wearable technologies
- Cognitive and neuropsychological assessment
Epilepsy Therapeutics & Management
Pharmacological, surgical, and neuromodulation approaches to seizure control.
- Novel antiseizure medication development and trials
- Drug-resistant epilepsy mechanisms and management
- Epilepsy surgery outcomes and techniques
- Neuromodulation (VNS, RNS, DBS) for epilepsy
- Dietary therapies (ketogenic diet, modified Atkins)
- Precision medicine and treatment optimization
Comorbidities & Quality of Life
Psychiatric, cognitive, and psychosocial aspects of living with epilepsy.
- Depression, anxiety, and psychiatric comorbidities
- Cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction
- Sleep disorders in epilepsy
- Quality of life assessment and interventions
- Social stigma and patient advocacy
- Transition of care from pediatric to adult services
Special Populations & Syndromes
Age-specific and syndrome-specific epilepsy research.
- Neonatal and infantile epilepsy syndromes
- Childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (Rolandic epilepsy)
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and adolescent-onset syndromes
- Epilepsy in pregnancy and women's health
- Elderly-onset epilepsy and aging
- Epilepsy in intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder
Acute Symptomatic Seizures
Seizures occurring in the context of acute brain insults (epilepsy-related).
- Post-traumatic epilepsy and traumatic brain injury
- Seizures following stroke (early and late onset)
- Infectious causes: encephalitis, meningitis, neurocysticercosis
- Autoimmune encephalitis with seizures
- Status epilepticus management and outcomes
- Seizure prophylaxis in neurocritical care
Technology & Innovation
Cutting-edge technologies transforming epilepsy research and care (selective consideration).
- Artificial intelligence for seizure prediction and detection
- Machine learning in EEG analysis and diagnosis
- Closed-loop neuromodulation systems
- Digital health and telemedicine in epilepsy
- Biomarker discovery using multi-omics approaches
- Brain-computer interfaces for seizure control
Explicitly Out of Scope
To maintain focus and editorial efficiency, IEJ does NOT consider submissions in the following areas unless they demonstrate direct, mechanistic relevance to epilepsy or seizure disorders:
Primary Neurodegenerative Diseases
Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, dementia, or other neurodegenerative disorders without established epileptic comorbidity or seizure phenotype.
Chronic Pain Syndromes
Back pain, chronic pain, neuropathy, fibromyalgia, or pain management studies unrelated to epilepsy treatment side effects or comorbidities.
Rheumatological & Autoimmune Disorders
Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, septic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, or osteoporosis unless directly linked to epilepsy pathophysiology.
General Neurological Conditions
Multiple sclerosis, Lyme disease, spinal cord injury, spinal stenosis, or cerebral palsy as primary focus, unless seizures are a central research question.
Primary Headache Disorders
Migraine, tension headache, or cluster headache studies without clear epilepsy overlap (e.g., migraine-epilepsy comorbidity mechanisms may be considered).
General Cognitive Science
Broad cognitive science, clinical neuropsychology, or neuroscience research without specific application to epilepsy-related cognitive dysfunction.
Article Types & Editorial Priorities
Expedited Review
- Original Research Articles (mechanistic, clinical trials)
- Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
- Methods & Resources (novel techniques, datasets)
- Translational Research (bench-to-bedside)
Regular Processing
- Short Communications (preliminary findings)
- Data Notes (negative results, replication studies)
- Perspectives & Commentaries (invited or unsolicited)
- Clinical Practice Guidelines
- Educational Reviews
Selective Acceptance
- Case Reports (only if exceptionally novel syndrome or mechanism)
- Opinion Pieces (by invitation only)
- Conference Abstracts (special issues only)
- Letters to the Editor (response to published articles)
Editorial Standards & Requirements
Reporting Guidelines
- Clinical Trials: CONSORT statement compliance required
- Observational Studies: STROBE checklist mandatory
- Systematic Reviews: PRISMA guidelines adherence
- Animal Research: ARRIVE guidelines 2.0 compliance
- Diagnostic Studies: STARD reporting standards
- Case Reports: CARE guidelines (when accepted)
Data & Ethics Policies
- Data Sharing: Raw data deposition in public repositories encouraged
- Clinical Trial Registration: Prospective registration required (ClinicalTrials.gov, EudraCT)
- Ethics Approval: IRB/ethics committee approval mandatory for human studies
- Informed Consent: Documentation required for all human participants
- Animal Welfare: IACUC approval and humane endpoints required
- Conflict of Interest: Full disclosure using ICMJE forms
