The primary mission of Behavioral Neuroscience® is to publish original research articles as well as reviews in the broad field of the neural bases of behavior.

We seek empirical papers reporting novel results that provide insight into the mechanisms by which nervous systems produce and are affected by behavior. Experimental subjects may include human and non-human animals and may address any phase of the lifespan, from early development to senescence.

Studies employing brain-imaging techniques in normal and pathological human populations are encouraged, as are studies using non-traditional species (including invertebrates) and employing comparative analyses. Studies using computational approaches to understand behavior and cognition are particularly encouraged.

In addition to behavior, it is expected that some aspect of nervous system function will be manipulated or observed, ranging across molecular, cellular, neuroanatomical, neuroendocrinological, neuropharmacological, and neurophysiological levels of analysis. Behavioral studies are welcome so long as their implications for our understanding of the nervous system are clearly described in the paper.

Behavioral Neuroscience primarily publishes original research articles reporting novel findings. However, the journal also publishes registered reports, negative findings, and replications of previously reported findings. Preregistration of replication studies is strongly recommended, but not required.

We offer the option to publish under either a subscription model at no charge or under an open access model for a modest fee.

Each of these article types may be full-length research papers or brief communications. Brief communications are limited to 3,250 words of text and two figures and/or tables. When appropriate, commentaries on research papers are invited by the editors.

We welcome reviews on any theoretical, empirical, or historical topic related to the role of the nervous system in the production of behavior.

Inquiries about potential review topics can be addressed to the editor.

Relevant information for each of these article types can be found under the Manuscript Submission tab.

Topic areas covered by the journal include:

learning and memory, attention, decision making
perception, spatial cognition, sensorimotor processing and integration
human and non-human animal cognition and emotion
molecular, cellular, and circuit level analyses of behavior and cognition
motivation, reward, homeostasis and biorhythms
animal models of psychopathology, addiction, and neurodegenerative disorders
developmental and lifespan analyses