Brain (OUP) 'Under Review': What Each Status Means and When to Expect a Decision
If your Brain (OUP) submission shows Under Review, here is what each status means and when to follow up.
What to do next
Already submitted to Brain? Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next step.
The useful next step is understanding what the status usually means at Brain, how long the wait normally runs, and when a follow-up is actually reasonable.
Brain review timeline: what the data shows
Time to first decision is the most actionable number. What happens after varies by manuscript and reviewer availability.
What shapes the timeline
- Desk decisions are fast. Scope problems surface within days.
- Reviewer availability is the main variable after triage. Specialized topics take longer to assign.
- Revision rounds reset the clock. Major revision typically adds 6-12 weeks per round.
What to do while waiting
- Track status in the submission portal — status changes signal active review.
- Wait at least the journal's stated median before sending a status inquiry.
- Prepare revision materials in parallel if you expect a revise-and-resubmit decision.
_Last reviewed: 2026-05-16._
Quick answer: Brain (OUP) has a 2024 JCR impact factor of 12.5, accepts about 15 percent of submissions, and reports a median first-decision time of 6 to 12 weeks. If still Under Review past 3 weeks, you have likely cleared the initial editorial screen.
Submission portal and editorial contact: Brain uses OUP ScholarOne at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/brain. Editorial questions go to brain.editor@oup.com, referencing your manuscript ID.
Brain desk-rejects roughly 60 to 70 percent in 7 to 21 days. If past that window, peer review is active.
While you wait
A Brain submission readiness check flags neurology clinical-relevance gaps, mechanistic-translational bridging, and methodology issues that drive most desk rejections.
Brain's review pipeline
Status | What is happening | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|
Submitted | Administrative processing | Day 0 to 2 |
With Editor | Editor evaluating desk-screen fit | Days 2 to 21 |
Under Review | Reviewers invited or actively reviewing | Days 21 to 84 |
Required Reviews Complete | Editor synthesizing reports | 5 to 10 days |
Decision in Process | Editor finalizing decision letter | 3 to 7 days |
Decision Sent | Reject, R&R, or accept | Check email |
The editorial desk screen (about 60 to 70 percent rejected)
Brain editors evaluate neurology clinical-relevance, mechanism depth, and broad-neurology audience fit.
Day 0: ScholarOne upload
The mc.manuscriptcentral.com/brain portal accepts the package and routes to a handling editor.
Days 1 to 21: Editor desk-screen
The handling editor reads the paper and decides whether to invite reviewers.
Days 21 to 42: Reviewer invitations
Two to three reviewers with neurology expertise.
Days 28 to 84: Peer review
Reviewer reports return on a 6 to 12 week cadence.
Days 84 to 112: First editorial decision
Major revision is the most common outcome.
Days 112 to 270: Revision rounds and acceptance
Single-revision acceptances run roughly 5 to 7 months.
When to worry
- Rejection within 1 to 7 days: Administrative issue or scope mismatch.
- Rejection within 14 to 21 days: Desk rejection.
- Still Under Review after 4 weeks: Good sign.
- Still Under Review after 12 weeks: Reviewer delay.
Readiness check
While you wait on Brain, scan your next manuscript.
The scan takes about 1-2 minutes. Use the result to decide whether to revise before the decision comes back.
What to do while waiting
- Do not contact during the first 10 weeks unless urgent.
- Prepare a point-by-point response template focused on neurology clinical-relevance and mechanism depth.
How Brain compares to nearby alternatives
Feature | Brain | JAMA Neurology | Lancet Neurology | Annals of Neurology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Desk rejection rate | 60 to 70 percent | 70 to 80 percent | 70 to 80 percent | 60 to 70 percent |
Desk decision speed | 14 to 21 days | 7 to 14 days | 5 to 10 days | 7 to 14 days |
Total review time | 6 to 12 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks | 2 to 4 months | 6 to 10 weeks |
Editorial bar | Top neurology with mechanism + clinical | Clinical neurology practice-changing | Highest-impact neurology | Top clinical-translational neurology |
Submit if your paper passed the desk
If your Brain paper is Under Review past 3 weeks, you have likely cleared the desk screen.
Think twice before assuming "Under Review" means safe
Editors retain discretion to reject after partial review. Our Brain manuscript fit check flags neurology-relevance and mechanism gaps before reviewers do.
For a free pre-upload diagnostic, use the Brain manuscript fit check.
Last verified: Brain author guidance, OUP ScholarOne portal at mc.manuscriptcentral.com/brain, and editorial contact at brain.editor@oup.com.
The Brain reviewer experience
Reviewer focus area | What Brain asks reviewers to evaluate | How to prepare |
|---|---|---|
Neurology clinical relevance | Does the finding affect neurology practice or interpretation? | Frame around a specific neurology decision |
Mechanism depth | Is the mechanism established or just described? | Include perturbation experiments |
Methodology | Are imaging/electrophysiology/genetic methods appropriate? | Document carefully |
Reproducibility | Could another team reproduce? | Provide detailed methods |
Sister-journal fit | Better for JAMA Neurology or Annals of Neurology? | Confirm Brain fit |
In our pre-submission review work with Brain manuscripts
Three failure patterns generate the most consistent rejections.
Mechanism without clinical bridging. Brain wants both.
Clinical without mechanism depth. Pure clinical work fits JAMA Neurology better.
Wrong neurology venue chosen. Brain competes with JAMA Neurology, Lancet Neurology, Annals of Neurology.
Methodology note
This page was created from Brain's public author guidance, OUP ScholarOne documentation, and Manusights review work.
Frequently asked questions
Your manuscript has cleared OUP ScholarOne admin checks and is being evaluated, either by the handling editor or by external peer reviewers.
Brain reports a median first-decision time of 6 to 12 weeks. Desk decisions usually arrive within 1 to 3 weeks.
Wait at least 10 weeks before inquiring. Contact brain.editor@oup.com, referencing the manuscript ID.
A handling editor is evaluating the paper. Brain typically invites two to three reviewers with neurology expertise.
Yes. The 6 to 12 week median means roughly half of papers take longer.
Past 12 weeks is the right moment for a polite, factual inquiry. Silence in the first 6 weeks is normal.
Sources
Best next step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
For Brain, the better next step is guidance on timing, follow-up, and what to do while the manuscript is still in the system. Save the Free Readiness Scan for the next paper you have not submitted yet.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.
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Where to go next
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Supporting reads
Conversion step
Use this page to interpret the status and choose the next sensible move.
Guidance first. Use the scan for the next manuscript.