The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association



Zaven Khachaturian, PhD, Editor in Chief
451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 119-355
Rockville, MD 20850
Tel. 301-294-7201; Fax 301-294-7203
E-mail: ADJ@kra.net

Ara Khachaturian, PhD, Managing Editor
Tel. 301-309-6730; Fax. 301-294-7203
E-mail: ADJ_MgrEd@kra.net

Information for Authors

Aims & Scope:

The mission of Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association (Alzheimer's & Dementia) is to bridge the knowledge gaps across a wide range of bench-to-bedside investigation. Alzheimer's & Dementia publishes the results of studies in: behavior, biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, pharmacology, physiology, protein chemistry, neurology, neuropathology, psychiatry, geriatrics, neuropsychology, epidemiology, sociology, health services research, health economics, political science and public policy. Alzheimer's & Dementia emphasizes interdisciplinary investigations and integrative/translational articles related to: etiology, risk factors, early detection, disease modifying interventions, prevention of dementia, and applications of new technologies in health services. The Journal will publish only original contributions in the following forms: • comprehensive reviews; • research articles; • information on clinical trials; • short reports; • in-depth perspectives/open-peer commentaries; • theoretical and/or translational papers that attempt to integrate knowledge across disciplines; • history and politics of science/ brief biographies, and • abstracts of papers presented at international meetings.
Negative results, particularly clinical trials, are published as short communications.

The ultimate objective is to create a novel forum for: • rapid communication of new findings, ideas or perspectives; • disseminating knowledge, across the spectrum of basic to clinical studies, necessary for optimal translation of research findings into practical applications/interventions; • integrating knowledge across disciplines;• increasing knowledge in diverse disciplines to promote early detection/diagnosis and/or interventions; • formulating new theories and/or strategies for the rigorous testing of theories or their predictions; • identifying promising new directions of research; and • providing the scientific impetus for new initiatives or public policies concerning research on prevention and new models of health services.

Instructions for Authors

Review Articles:
Comprehensive Reviews are commissioned papers by the editors to provide comprehensive and balanced coverage of a timely and/or controversial issue by a recognized authority. The invited review should integrating different points of view on ground-breaking, fast-moving or contentious topics with the objective of translating, informing or educating a wide multi-disciplinary audience about varying perspective. Reviews should provide a brief overview or background of critical issues and then concentrate on setting recent findings in context. It is crucial for all Reviews, particularly those tackling controversial topics, to provide a well-balanced view of developments; authors must never concentrate unduly on their own research. Reviews, unlike Research Articles, do allow some speculation designed to foster the formulation or testing of new hypothesis.

Reviews must include an abstract of approximately 150 words. Length may not exceed 15,000 words, a maximum of 60 references, no more than six figures, boxes or tables.

Perspectives and Open-Peer Commentaries:
Perspectives and open-peer commentaries provide personal in-depth viewpoints, rather than a review, on hotly debated topics; controversial theoretical, research or policy issues. Perspectives should: a) stimulate debate, b) present new models or hypotheses, c) suggest future experiments, directions of research or policies and/or, d) speculate on the meaning/interpretation of new discoveries/data. Articles that merely outline recent advances rather than provide a though provoking opinion on them are not suitable for this section of the journal.

Perspectives must include an abstract of approximately 150 words. Length of a Perspective article may not exceed 5,000 words, a maximum of 50 references, no more than six figures, boxes or tables. Open-peer commentaries may include an abstract of approximately 150 words. Length of Open-Peer Commentaries may not exceed 1,500 words, a maximum of 20 references, no more than two figures, boxes or tables.

Research Articles:
Research articles cover hypothesis driven research or evidence-based validation studies in any of the following generic areas of study: Biology, Chemistry, Clinical/Medical Interventions, Behavior/Neuropsychology, Social Sciences, Nursing, Health Economics, Health Services Research and Public Policy. Manuscripts should include: a) Structured Abstract, b) Background, c) Methods, d) Results, e) Discussion, f) References, g) Acknowledgements/Conflicts/Funding Sources and, h) Key Words. The manuscript, and specifically the abstract, should be written such that a diverse audience will understand the central research question and the significance of the findings or conclusion of the study.

Research articles must include an abstract of approximately 150 words. Length may not exceed 10,000 words, a maximum of 50 references, no more than six figures, boxes or tables.

Short Reports:
Short Reports are brief communications dealing with Case Studies or information on Clinical Trials [including the negative results and/or adverse events in clinical studies]. Short Reports will also cover brief articles on the utility or potential applications of a new technique, instruments or analytical approaches; rather than the detail of the technique per se, which can be references for readers interested in complete technical details. These articles should educate and inform readers by comparing or contrasting new approaches/techniques with established ones and highlighting the pros and cons of each.

Short Reports must include an abstract of approximately 150 words. Length may not exceed 1,500 words, a maximum of 20 references, no more than two figures, boxes or tables.

Policy Forum:
Policy Forum manuscripts generally will cover topic related to "Science and Society" that might be relevant and/or interest to a broader audience. Policy Forum will include papers on: history and politics of science, brief biographies and policy analysis. The main aim of the Policy Forum articles is simply to tell an exciting story on an interesting topic; the style should be conversational and newsy. Length may not exceed 5,000 words, a maximum of 50 references, no more than six figures, boxes or tables.

Letters:
Letters are welcomed brief communications relating to the content of earlier issues of ADJ or general topics of interest. Letters relating to earlier issues of ADJ will be sent to the appropriate authors for review and to give them an opportunity to reply. Previously unpublished data, however, will not be considered.

Length may not exceed 750 words, a maximum of 10 references, no more than one figure.

Research News:
Research News is designed to highlight recent events, advances or developments (e.g., grants awarded, new funding opportunities, calendar of events, conference reports and abstracts of papers presented at international meetings) that might be a particular interest to the research community. The articles should inform not only a general audience but also offer an expert a balanced interpretation of the advances, developments or events being reported. The article should be restricted to report only novel and interesting information. Articles should be written in a lively style, giving brief essential background, putting recent advances in context and providing insight on future perspectives and direction. Rather than including extensive background information, the reader should be directed, via a citation, to an appropriate review article or text.

Research News articles must include a "summary lead" that may not exceed 50 words. The summary lead is the first few sentences that summarizes the event and answers the questions: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? Length may not exceed 1,500 words, a maximum of 20 references, no more than two figures, boxes or tables.

Manuscript Submission : Alzheimers & Dementia uses a Web-based online manuscript submission and review system. Please visit http://ees.elsevier.com/adj/ to submit your manuscript electronically. The Web site guides authors stepwise through the creation and uploading of the various files. Note that original source files, not PDF files, are required. Authors may send queries concerning the submission process manuscript status or journal procedures to the Editorial Office. Once the submission files are uploaded the system automatically generates electronic (PDF) proof, which is then used for reviewing. All correspondence, including the Editor's decision and request for revisions, will be by e-mail. Articles will be published in English. International authors who are not fluent in the English language should seek help in the preparation of their manuscripts. Such assistance will enhance the review process and greatly reduce the time to publication, if the article is accepted.

Provisional or final acceptance is based on originality, scientific accuracy, relevance, clarity, and topical balance of the Journal. Authors should suggest the names (with contact information) of 5-7 potential reviewers for the manuscript. Every attempt will be made to use at least one suggested reviewer. A request to submit a revised manuscript does not guarantee acceptance of the revised manuscript, only that it will be reconsidered by the reviewers. Decisions will be communicated to the corresponding author by email.

The Elsevier Author Gateway [ http://authors.elsevier.com ] provides a means to track accepted articles and set up e-mail alerts to inform you of when an article's status has changed. You can find detailed artwork guidelines, copyright information, frequently asked questions and more. Contact details for questions arising after acceptance of an article, especially those relating to proofs, are provided after registration of an article for publication.

Responsibilities of Authorship : As a condition of authorship, all authors must be willing to take responsibility for the entire manuscript. Multi-authored manuscripts should have a declaration of each author's contributions in the submission cover letter. The form will be sent to the corresponding author when the manuscript is received by the Publisher.

Copyright : Publications are copyrighted for the protection of the authors and the publisher. A Transfer of Copyright Agreement will be sent to the author who submits the manuscript. The corresponding author must sign and returned the completed form transferring copyright ownership of the manuscript to Elsevier Inc. before the article can be published.

Conflict of Interest Disclosure : The authors should disclose any relationships that might have the appearance of a "conflict of interest" on the title page of the paper. Should there be any financial association [e.g., grants, contracts, consultancy, honoraria, advisory board memberships, equity share, etc] between any of the authors and the financial beneficiaries [e.g., commercial company] of a product that figures prominently or is discussed in the article, the author(s) should disclose such association. Editors reserve the right to reject an article on the basis of a significant conflict of interest. If the article is accepted for publication, the disclosure statement may be published. When no competing interests are present the disclosure statement should confirm such.

Ethics—Protection of Human Subjects and Animal Welfare : Authors should comply with all the relevant provisions of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grants Policy Statement concerning: Ethical and Safe Conduct in Science and Organizational Operations, Requirements Affecting the Rights and Welfare of Individuals as Research Subjects, Patients or Recipients of Service, and Animal Welfare guidelines outlined in the "Public Policy Requirements and Objectives" [ see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/nihgps_2003/index.htm ]

Permissions : The inclusion of any copyrighted material or previously published material [e.g., direct quotations, tables, or illustrations] must be accompanied by written permission for use from the copyright owner and original authors along with complete information about the original source. Authors are responsible for obtaining permission and payment of any fees associated with reuse.

Potential Reviewers : Authors are encouraged to suggest the names of potential peer-reviewers that do not have any conflicts to assist with a prompt and fair review process. The submission letter should include the names, mailing addresses, phone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses of 5-7 potential reviewers with appropriate expertise to evaluate the manuscript.

Proofs : Corrections to the proofs greater than 10% will be charged to the author. Authors will not be held accountable for errors that occur in the production or print processes.

Offprints : Offprint order forms will be sent to authors before articles are published. Reprints in quantity must be purchased from the publisher.

Embargo — Public Presentation/Media Releases : All manuscripts accepted for publication in Alzheimer's & Dementia will be embargoed until the posted publication date/time by Elsevier. Authors and their institutions are expected to abide by the copyright agreement and refrain from disclosing to media or the public findings of an accepted manuscript prior to embargo period [publication].

Style of Manuscript

General Format :

• Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced, and numbered, with wide margins. Computer-generated illustrations must be of the high quality of professional line drawings or they will not be accepted.
• The title page should contain: title of paper; author(s); laboratory or institution of origin with city, state, zip code, and country; complete address for mailing proofs; telephone, fax number, and email address (when available, the email address will appear in the correspondence footnote of the published article).
• References, footnotes, and legends for illustrations should be typed on separate sheets, double spaced.
• Illustrations should be identified with figure number and author( s) name; when necessary the top should be clearly marked.
• Each table should be typed on a separate sheet and double spaced.
• All dimensions and measurements must be specified in the metric system. Standard nomenclature, abbreviations and symbols, as specified by Royal Society Conference of Editors. Metrication in Scientific Journals. Am. Scient. 56:159- 164; 1968, should be used throughout.
• Italics should not be used for the purpose of emphasis.
• Brief Communications should be restricted to six typewritten pages, including references, and should not present more than one figure and one table, or two figures, or two tables.

Title : The title should not be longer than 85 characters, including spaces between words. Only the first word of the title should be capitalized.

Length of Paper : The Editors insist upon clear, concise statement of facts and conclusions. Fragmentation of material into numerous short reports is discouraged. All accepted papers are subject to editorial revision and copyediting. Authors should avoid redundancy between sections of text and illustrations and text. The Editors may recommend that appendices and tables containing extensive data be published in the electronic version of Alzheimer's & Dementia and only referenced in a footnote in the print edition.

Abstract : Each paper submitted must be accompanied by a structured abstract of 250 words or less to appear after the title. The abstract should be suitable for use by abstracting journals and must include the following headings: Background, Methods, Results, and Conclusion(s). A list of 5-15 keywords or short phrases suitable for indexing terms should be typed at the bottom of the abstract page accompanying the manuscript. These terms will be printed with the paper following the abstract.

Headings : All headings should be numbered, for example, 1. Introduction, 2. Methods, 2.1. Study population, etc. Capitalize the first word only for all headings.

Footnotes : If more than one author, the corresponding author should be indicated with an asterisk. If there is more than one affiliation, use a superior letter for each one. Use superior numbers for any other footnotes to authors' names, such as a current address. Text footnotes should not be used; the material should be incorporated into the text. Table footnotes: see Tables.

Abbreviations : Complex terms used frequently in the manuscript may be abbreviated. The manuscript should include a list of all abbreviations used. Abbreviations are placed in parentheses at first use in the abstract and again at first use in the text.

References : References should not exceed 50 in number. Reference format should conform to that set forth in "Uniform Requirements for Manuscripts Submitted to Biomedical Journals" ( http:// www.icmje.org ) and journal abbreviations should conform to the style used in the Cumulated Index Medicus. Cite references, figures, and tables in numeric order according to the first mention in the text. Accuracy of reference data is the responsibility of the author. Verify all references against original sources. "In press" citations must have been accepted for publication and the name of the journal or book publisher must be included. The style of citation should be as follows:

Journals: authors' last names and initials; title of article; journal name; date; volume number, and inclusive pages (list all authors when six or fewer; when seven or more, list six and add et al):

Graeber GM, Gupta NC, Murray GF. Positron emission tomographic imaging with fluorodeoxyglucose is efficacious in evaluating malignant pulmonary disease. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:719-27.

Lytle BW, Blackstone EH, Loop FD, Houghtaling PL, Arnold JH, Akhrass R, et al. Two internal thoracic artery grafts are better than one. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1999;117:855-72.

Books: authors' last names and initials; chapter title, editor's name, book title, edition, city, publisher, date, and pages:

Mollnes TE. Analysis of in vivo complement activation: In: Herzenberg LA, Weir DM, Herzenberg LA, Blackwell C, editors. Weir's Handbook of experimental immunology. Volume 78, 5th ed. Boston: Blackwell Science; 1997, p. 78.1- 78.8.

Acknowledgments : Authors must provide proper recognition to public funding agencies [e.g., agency name, grant title and number] and/or private funding source or the sponsor of the study as well as those that made significant contribution to the project.

Figures : Figures must be of professional quality. When possible, please use or supply first-generation artwork. Figures are encouraged in electronic format with a printed proof on glossy or highquality photographic printer paper and should be at least 5 inches wide. Figures may be black and white line art, graphs, halftones (photographs), or color. TIFF, EPS, or PDF formats are recommended for electronic artwork. Line art should have a minimum resolution of 1000 dpi, halftone art a minimum of 300 dpi, and combination art (line/halftone) a minimum of 500 dpi. MS Office files (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel) are also accepted if they meet certain standards. Color figures should be submitted in actual size and authors will be responsible for costs associated with color reproduction.

When possible all lettering should be within the frame-work of the illustration; likewise the key to symbols should be on the face of the chart. The following standard symbols should be used as they are easily available to the printer: + ο ˙ [] ˘. Actual magnification of all photomicrographs should be provided. Dimension scale should be indicated.

For help with preparing electronic artwork for both on-screen review and eventual publication visit the Elsevier Author Gateway [ http://authors.elsevier.com ].

Tables : Table numbers should be Arabic, followed by a period and a brief heading. Explanatory matter should be in footnotes, not as part of the title. Begin each table on a separate page. Use same size type as in text where possible. Supply a brief heading for each column. Do not use vertical lines between columns. Use horizontal lines above and below the column headings and at the bottom of the table only. Use extra space to delineate sections within the table. Abbreviations used in the table must be defined in a footnote to the table. Indicate footnotes in this order: *,†, ‡, §, ¶, #, **, ††,‡‡, §§, ¶¶, ##. Table footnotes should be indicated in the body of the table in order of their appearance with superior letters. Statistical measures should be indicated with symbols: *, **, etc. Tables must not duplicate material in text or illustrations. Statistical measures of variation, SD, SE, etc., should be identified. Analysis of variance tables should not be submitted but significant F's should be incorporated where appropriate within the text. The appropriate form for reporting F value is: F (11, 20) = 3.05, p < 0.01.

Formulas and Equations : Structural chemical formulas, process flow-diagrams, and complicated mathematical expressions should be kept to a minimum. Usually chemical formulas and flowdiagrams should be provided for reproduction as line cuts. All subscripts, superscripts, Greek letters, and unusual characters must be clearly identified.

Drugs : When possible, provide generic rather than trademarked names of drugs. Proprietary (trademarked) names should be capitalized. The chemical name should precede the trade, popular name, or abbreviation of a drug the first time it occurs. Trade names of drugs and other products must not appear in the title. The trade name may appear once in the abstract and once in the introduction or methods section; all other mention of the product must be in the form of the generic name.

Anesthesia : In describing surgical procedures on animals, the type and dosage of the anesthetic agent should be specified. Curarizing agents are not anesthetics; if these were used, evidence must be provided that anesthesia of suitable grade and duration was employed.