Manuscript Preparation

Organize manuscripts with clear sections: title, abstract, keywords, introduction, methods, results, discussion, and references. Use precise language to describe seizure care protocols, patient populations, and diagnostic methods.

Provide a structured abstract where possible and include 4 to 6 keywords related to epilepsy care, neurophysiology, or patient safety.

Article Types

IEJ accepts a broad range of manuscript types. Select the format that best fits your study design and clinical contribution.

• Original research and multicenter clinical studies
• Systematic reviews and meta analyses
• Clinical guidelines, consensus statements, and protocols
• Case reports and technical notes
• Quality improvement and operational reports

Ethics and Compliance

Human studies must include institutional review board approval and informed consent statements where applicable. Explain participant consent procedures and data privacy measures for clinical records.

Clinical trials should include registration numbers. Animal studies must comply with relevant ethical guidelines and include approval statements.

Data Availability and Reporting

Include a data availability statement describing where data can be accessed or why access is restricted. De identify patient data and follow applicable privacy regulations.

Describe statistical methods clearly and report effect sizes, confidence intervals, and primary outcomes where appropriate.

Figures, Tables, and Supplementary Files

Submit figures with clear labels and high resolution. Tables should be editable and aligned with reported results. Supplementary files may include protocols, data dictionaries, or extended methods.

References and Formatting

Use a consistent citation style and include DOIs when available. Ensure references are accurate and complete to support verification of epilepsy evidence.

Authorship and Contributions

List all authors with their affiliations and contributions. Clearly identify the corresponding author who will manage revisions and publication communication.

Conflict of Interest

Disclose financial relationships, advisory roles, or institutional interests that may influence interpretation of epilepsy findings.

Seizure Management Reporting

For seizure management studies, detail treatment thresholds, decision algorithms, and outcomes to support reproducibility and clinical translation.

Submission Process

Upload files through ManuscriptZone for full tracking or use the Simple Submission form for a fast first submission. Ensure all files are anonymized for peer review.

After Acceptance

Accepted manuscripts proceed to copyediting and proof review. Authors will receive page proofs to confirm accuracy before publication.

Title Page and Metadata

Provide a title page with full author names, affiliations, and corresponding author contact details. Include funding statements and acknowledgements to support transparency.

Abstract and Keywords

Use a structured abstract when appropriate, summarizing background, methods, results, and conclusions. Select keywords that match epilepsy care indexing and clinical terminology.

Methods Detail

Describe patient eligibility criteria, EEG or imaging protocols, diagnostic methods, and treatment pathways clearly. Provide sufficient detail for replication across epilepsy centers and hospitals.

Statistical Reporting

Report statistical tests, software, effect sizes, confidence intervals, and primary endpoints. Clearly define subgroup analyses and adjustment methods used in epilepsy studies.

Reporting Guidelines

Follow relevant reporting guidelines such as CONSORT for clinical trials, STROBE for observational studies, and PRISMA for systematic reviews. Include checklists when available.

Clinical Trial Registration

Clinical trials must be registered in a recognized registry before enrollment. Include registration identifiers in the manuscript and cover letter.

Patient Privacy

Remove direct identifiers from patient data and follow institutional privacy requirements. When data sharing is restricted, explain the access process in the data availability statement.

Figures and Tables Standards

Ensure units, labels, and legends are clear and consistent. Provide high resolution figures suitable for print and digital viewing, and confirm that tables match text descriptions.

Supplementary Materials

Supplementary files can include detailed protocols, EEG or imaging validation data, and extended tables. Label files clearly to support reviewer evaluation and reader reuse.

Cover Letter Guidance

Use the cover letter to describe study significance, clinical impact, and any related submissions. Note if the manuscript is part of a special issue or a multicenter collaboration.

Revision Process

When revising, respond point by point to reviewer comments and highlight changes clearly. Transparent responses help editors and reviewers evaluate improvements efficiently.

Language and Style

Use clear, concise language with consistent terminology for seizure classifications, therapies, and diagnostic protocols. Avoid undefined abbreviations and define acronyms at first use.

Units and Measurements

Report units consistently and include reference ranges when appropriate. For laboratory studies, describe calibration procedures and quality control measures.

Participant Protection

Include statements on participant consent, patient safety monitoring, and adverse event reporting. These details are essential for epilepsy research that impacts patient care.

Data and Code Citation

If you share datasets or code, provide persistent identifiers and cite them in the references. This improves transparency and supports reuse by the epilepsy community.

Seizure Management Reporting

Describe treatment thresholds, decision criteria, and outcome measures. Clear reporting helps readers apply findings to clinical practice and policy.

Diagnostic Reporting

For neurophysiology or diagnostic studies, detail EEG platforms, sensitivity, specificity, and validation steps. Include manufacturer information when relevant.

Preprints and Prior Dissemination

Preprints are permitted when disclosed at submission. Provide preprint identifiers and ensure the submitted manuscript reflects the most recent updates.

Final Submission Check

Confirm all files are anonymized for peer review, include ethics documentation, and ensure figures and tables are cited in the text. A complete submission supports efficient review.

Systematic Review Standards

Systematic reviews should follow PRISMA guidelines and include a clear search strategy, selection criteria, and risk of bias assessment. Provide flow diagrams and protocol details where available.

Case Report Requirements

Case reports should include patient consent, clinical context, seizure management interventions, and outcomes. Highlight the learning value and relevance to epilepsy care.

Quality Improvement Studies

Operational and quality improvement reports should describe baseline performance, interventions, and measurable outcomes. Include data collection periods and relevant process measures.

Image and Figure Ethics

Do not manipulate images in a way that could misrepresent results. Any adjustments must be applied uniformly and described in the methods or figure legends.

Supplementary Media

Videos, extended datasets, or software scripts may be included as supplementary files. Provide concise descriptions so reviewers and readers understand their relevance.

Patient Recruitment Studies

For studies involving patient recruitment or retention, describe outreach methods, inclusion criteria, and demographic reporting standards. Transparency supports equitable access strategies.

Adverse Event Reporting

Clearly define adverse event classifications and monitoring timelines. Include criteria for causality assessment and describe follow up procedures when events occur.

Tables and Supplement Citations

Reference all tables and supplementary files in the main text. Provide descriptive titles and legends to help readers interpret results without ambiguity.

Language Editing and Support

Authors may use professional language editing before submission. Editing improves clarity but does not guarantee acceptance or influence editorial decisions.

Authorship Criteria

List author contributions and ensure all authors meet established authorship criteria. ORCID identifiers are recommended to improve attribution and discoverability.

Designate a corresponding author and, if required, a guarantor for the study for accountability and timely communication throughout the process.

Include ORCID for the corresponding author to streamline verification and indexing workflows accurately.

Funding and Acknowledgements

State all funding sources and acknowledgements clearly, including epilepsy center support, grants, and institutional programs that enabled the research.

Biospecimen Use

If studies involve biospecimens or genetic materials, document consent, governance approvals, and sample handling procedures to maintain ethical compliance.

Access Restrictions

When data cannot be shared publicly due to privacy or regulatory constraints, describe the access process and oversight requirements so readers understand how data may be reviewed.

Provide a contact email and expected response time for data requests when access is restricted.

Post Publication Updates

If corrections are needed after publication, notify the editorial office promptly. Updates maintain the integrity of epilepsy evidence and preserve reader trust.

Authors may be asked to supply clarifications or additional data if concerns arise.