Neurosciences is a peer-reviewed, open access journal dedicated to advancing knowledge in clinical and translational neuroscience. Since its establishment in 1996 at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), the journal has served as a specialized platform for the dissemination of high-quality research in neurology and the broader neurosciences across the Kingdom, the Arab region, and the international scientific community.
The journal publishes original research, reviews, and scholarly contributions addressing disorders of the nervous system and related fields, including neurology, neurophysiology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery, neurorehabilitation, neurooncology, neuropsychiatry, and neurogenetics. Basic science research with clear clinical implications is also welcomed, reflecting the journal’s commitment to bridging laboratory discoveries with patient care.
Published quarterly, Neurosciences upholds rigorous editorial standards and operates a structured peer review process to ensure scientific integrity, methodological soundness, and clinical relevance. The journal is committed to ethical publishing practices and adheres to internationally recognized guidelines to maintain transparency, accountability, and trust in the scholarly record.
Current Issue
Volume 31, Issue 2 (2026)View issue
Current Articles
Most Popular Articles
- Review1 January 2021
The non-syndromic clinical spectrums of mtDNA 3243A>G mutation
The m.3243A >G mutation in the tRNA Leu (UUR) gene (MT-TL1) of the mitochondrial DNA is the most widely seen pathogenic mtDNA mutation which has major phenotypic variations. The clinical phenotype involves various organs such as the brain and nerves, skeletal muscles, heart, endocrine system, gastrointestinal tract, and skin. Some phenotypes conform to well established syndromes, while most of the symptoms appear individually or concomitant to other syndromes, making identification difficult. Furthermore, some progress has been made on cardiac manifestations as well as complications during pregnancy and perinatal period. This article provides a systematic review of the non-syndromic phenotypes and latest developments in m.3243A>G mutation. - Review1 January 2023
The consequences of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance
Although not fully understood, sleep is accepted as a vital and organized sequence of events that follows a regular cyclic program each night to ensure the human body can perform at its optimum. A lack of sleep, or sleep deprivation (SD), is a widespread phenomenon that can induce adverse changes in cognitive performance. This review focused on the biological explanation as well as the research investigating the numerous effects that SD can have on cognition. A reduction in sleep does not occur independently of the effects on memory, attention, alertness, judgment, decision-making, and overall cognitive abilities in the brain, resulting in decreased function and impaired cognitive performance. - Review30 April 2026
The Role of the Ventral Tegmental Area in Reward and Addiction: A Comprehensive Review
The ventral tegmental area (VTA) is a central hub in reward and motivation, integrating heterogeneous neuronal populations and projection-defined circuits to regulate learning, decision-making, and addiction. This review synthesizes anatomical organization and cellular diversity (dopaminergic, GABAergic, and glutamatergic neurons, including multitransmitter co-release), and maps major efferent pathways constituting the mesolimbic and mesocortical systems. We highlight computational roles of VTA activity, including reward prediction errors, incentive salience, and context memory integration, and summarize drug class-specific mechanisms that perturb VTA output. We then outline time-dependent neuroadaptations across mesocorticolimbic networks and discuss therapeutic implications spanning pharmacological, behavioral, and emerging circuit-targeted interventions. Together, these perspectives frame the VTA as a projection- and state-dependent controller whose dysfunction underlies core features of substance use disorders and other reward-related psychopathologies, pointing toward precision, circuit-informed treatments. - Original Study27 March 2026
Identifying Risk Factors for the Rising Prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis in Saudi Arabia: A case-control analysis
Objective: This study aims to identify risk factors linked to the increasing prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in Saudi Arabia. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition affecting the central nervous system, marked by inflammation and damage to nerves and the myelin sheath. Method: A case-control study conducted from September 2022 to January 2024 included 832 participants—263 diagnosed with MS and 569 controls. Controls were matched by age, gender, residence, and employment status. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire, with written consent obtained from participants aged 18 and older. Logistic regression analysis was used to ascertain risk factors. Results: Out of 832 participants, 263 (31.6%) were diagnosed with MS. The greatest percentage of MS cases occurred in the 25–34 age range (37.7%). After adjusting for potential confounders, smoking was significantly associated with increased MS risk (AOR = 2.34, 95% CI: [1.22–4.48], p = 0.01), as were vitamin D deficiency (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI: [1.31–2.98], pp = 0.02). Conversely, vitamin D supplementation was associated with a substantial reduction in MS risk (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI: [0.10–0.28], p < 0.001), as was coffee consumption (AOR = 0.53, 95% CI: [0.30–0.96], p < 0.04). Conclusion: Smoking, vitamin D deficiency, and a history of childhood sexual abuse increase MS risk, while vitamin D supplementation and coffee consumption reduce it. Further research is essential to confirm these findings. - Original Study27 March 2026
Impact of Burnout and Sleep Deprivation on the Clinical Performance of Neurology Residents: A Cross-Sectional Country Wide Study
Objective: To assess burnout (BU) and sleep deprivation (SD) among neurology residents and their impact on clinical performance (CP). This study is based on a neurology residents from Saudi Arabia. Methods: This multi-centric, cross-sectional study invited 214 registered neurology residents in the country; 179 participated in the study. The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and the Medical Council of Canada’s Physicians’ Self-Assessment Questionnaire (PSAQ) were used to evaluate burnout (BU) and sleep deprivation (SD) among neurology residents and their impact on clinical performance (CP). Results: Of the total 214 registered neurology residents, 179 participated in the study. About 50% reported irregularity in daily meals, while >50% failed to exercise due to time constraints. More than 80% of residents had moderate-to-high levels of emotional exhaustion (EE) and depersonalisation (DP), and 90% had low personal accomplishment (PA). The global PSQI score of 9.3 resulted from mediocre sleep quality, poor sleep duration, high sleep latency and daytime dysfunction. Moreover, 83.2% of residents complained of SD and opined that it affects their mental capability at work. Regarding residents’ CP, 49.44% were high performers, while the proportion of low performers was marginally higher at 50.56%. The rampant prevalence of moderate-to-high EE and DP and poor PSQI scores had a significantly negative correlation with residents’ CP (p= 0.0168, 0.0011 and 0.0441, respectively), CP correlated positively with PA levels (p=0.0045). Conclusion: Moderate to high levels of BU prevail among neurology residents in Saudi Arabia. A high number of neurology residents suffer from sleep disturbances. Both BU and SD exert a detrimental impact on neurology residents’ CP, which adversely affects the quality of neurological care delivered by the burned-out and sleep-deprived residents. - Review30 April 2026
Protein Intake in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Narrative Review Highlighting the Implications of Protein Intake on Muscle Mass, Growth, and Overall Nutritional Status
Children with cerebral palsy experience nutritional challenges that affect protein intake and may contribute to poor muscle mass and growth faltering. Since protein plays a major role in preserving muscle mass and supporting growth, ensuring adequate intake is critical. A comprehensive literature search was conducted for observational studies published between 2006 and 2025. The reviewed studies results were grouped into: [1] Protein intake, with values ranging from 0.66 to 4.1 g/kg/day, with higher intake observed among ambulatory or orally fed children, [2] Nutritional Status and Body Composition, as reduced muscle was reported in children with severe motor impairment, and [3] functional performance, as children with lower GMFCS levels had better protein intake and anthropometric measures. While current evidence suggests that protein intake may enhance body composition and support growth, there are still literature gaps regarding tailored protein needs. This review summarizes protein intake and its outcomes in CP.