About the Journal
Focus and Scope
The Revista Brasileira de Neurologia (RBN) is a peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal that does not charge any fees for manuscript submission or publication. It is published by the Institute of Neurology Deolindo Couto of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (INDC-UFRJ), in association with the Neurology Association of the State of Rio de Janeiro (ANERJ).
Founded in 1949 under the title Jornal Brasileiro de Neurologia and published under its current name since 1983, the RBN is one of the oldest scientific journals dedicated to neurology in Brazil, with uninterrupted publication and a well-established editorial tradition.
The objective of the journal is to disseminate knowledge in the fields of clinical and basic neurosciences, contributing to scientific advancement in neurology and neuroscience.
The journal welcomes manuscripts addressing neurological disorders, neurophysiology, neuroimaging, neurogenetics, neuroepidemiology, neurology education, historical aspects of neurology, and other topics relevant to contemporary neuroscience research and clinical practice.
The RBN gives priority to original research articles and also publishes review articles of recognized scientific relevance. Other manuscript categories—such as case reports, images in neurology, historical notes, and opinion articles—are considered on a complementary basis and must demonstrate clear scientific or educational value.
Since 2015, the journal has been published exclusively in digital format, providing immediate and free open access to all its content.
The RBN adheres to internationally recognized best practices in scientific publishing, including blind peer review, editorial transparency, and strict ethical standards.
The journal is indexed in LILACS and holds a Qualis CAPES classification of B3 for the 2021–2024 evaluation cycle. This classification reflects compliance with essential academic quality criteria established by CAPES, including regular publication, peer-review integrity, editorial consistency, and relevance to postgraduate education and research in Brazil. A B3 ranking in the 2021–2024 Qualis assessment indicates that the journal is formally recognized within the national scientific evaluation system and represents a credible and stable venue for scholarly dissemination. It is particularly relevant for strengthening academic output, enhancing the visibility of early-career researchers, and supporting the scientific production of postgraduate programs in neurology and neuroscience. The RBN remains committed to continuous improvement of its editorial standards, visibility, and international impact.
Peer Review Process
All manuscripts submitted to the Revista Brasileira de Neurologia (RBN) undergo an initial screening by the Editorial Team to verify compliance with the journal’s scope, editorial policies, ethical standards, and minimum quality requirements. Manuscripts that do not meet these criteria are rejected at this stage.
Submissions considered suitable are forwarded to a double-blind peer review process conducted by an independent ad hoc reviewer, in which the identities of both authors and reviewers are concealed throughout the evaluation process.
The reviewer is selected based on recognized expertise in the manuscript’s subject area and affiliation with an academic or scientific institution. The evaluation is conducted in accordance with the journal’s editorial policy and focuses on the following criteria:
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relevance to the journal’s scope and contribution to neurology and neurosciences;
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originality and scientific merit;
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methodological rigor and consistency;
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ethical aspects of the research, when applicable;
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clarity, coherence, and overall quality of the manuscript.
Based on the reviewer’s recommendation and the assessment of the Editorial Team, the manuscript may be accepted, returned to the authors for revision, or rejected. When revisions are requested, authors must respond to the reviewer’s comments and submit a revised version for further editorial evaluation.
The final decision regarding publication rests with the Editor-in-Chief, with the support of the Editorial Board. The RBN is committed to maintaining confidentiality, impartiality, transparency, and scientific integrity throughout the peer review and editorial decision-making processes.
History and Publishing Model
The Revista Brasileira de Neurologia (RBN) has been continuously published since 1949. From 1949 to 1983, the journal was published under the title Jornal Brasileiro de Neurologia, and since 1983 it has been published as the Revista Brasileira de Neurologia (RBN).
In line with developments in scientific communication and editorial practices, the journal transitioned to an exclusively digital publishing model in 2015. Since then, all issues have been published online, ensuring broader dissemination, accessibility, and long-term preservation of their scientific content.
The Revista Brasileira de Neurologia provides immediate open access to its articles and has been indexed in LILACS, including through LILACS EXPRESS, reinforcing its commitment to visibility, interoperability, and the dissemination of scientific knowledge in neurology and neurosciences.
