Editorial Policy

1. Editorial Mission

This blog's mission is to communicate neuroscience research accurately and accessibly. All content must meet the following standards:

• Accuracy — backed by peer-reviewed journals or materials from recognized health agencies
• Accountability — the limits of medical information are stated, and it is kept distinct from diagnosis or treatment advice
• Accessibility — technical terms are explained simply while keeping the science accurate

2. Review Standards

1. Topic selection — recent neuroscience research + what readers actually want to know
2. Literature review — PubMed search, at least 3 peer-reviewed papers from the last 5 years
3. Mechanism check — accuracy at the circuit and molecular level, with speculation clearly separated from fact
4. Medical wording review — appropriate use of "may" and "has been observed" versus "does"
5. Editorial review — checks for readability, logic and risk-avoiding wording

3. Citation Standards

Neuroscience content follows this hierarchy of sources:

• Tier 1: Peer-reviewed journals (Nature Neuroscience, Neuron, Cell, Brain, Journal of Neuroscience, NeuroImage)
• Tier 2: Recognized health agencies (NIH, WHO, FDA, KDCA, AAN)
• Tier 3: Meta-analyses / systematic reviews (Cochrane, PROSPERO)
• Tier 4: Established clinical guidelines (AAN, APA, KMA)

Where possible, we provide DOI links and PubMed PMIDs.

4. Disclosure of AI Tool Use

Where AI is used:

• Structuring drafts and polishing style
• Drafting plain-language explanations of technical terms
• Assisting with English/Korean translation

Where AI is not used (a person is directly responsible):

• Verifying medical accuracy
• Confirming that cited sources are real (to prevent hallucinations, where AI generates citations to fake papers)
• Reviewing whether wording about treatment or diagnosis is appropriate
• The final decision to publish
• Responding to readers' medical questions (recommending they consult a medical provider comes first)

5. Corrections Policy

Accuracy of medical information is the top priority. Error reports are taken through the Contact page.

• Minor fixes (typos): quietly fixed within 24 hours
• Factual corrections: the text is corrected + a correction notice is added at the bottom of the post
• Serious medical errors: the text is corrected + a correction notice + a warning at the top of the post + reader notification where possible
• Retraction: information proven wrong is replaced with a correction notice

Usual response time: 24-72 hours. Errors that could pose a medical risk are handled first.

6. Advertising and Sponsorship Policy

Google AdSense display ads may appear. Ads are clearly separated from the main content.

Policy on ads for medicines and medical devices:

• We do not accept direct advertising for medicines, investigational drugs or supplements
• Sponsorship by medical services is clearly labeled at the top of the post and written so it cannot be mistaken for a medical recommendation
• We refuse ads that could damage reader trust (exaggerated claims of effect, unproven treatments, etc.)

7. Medical Disclaimer

All content is considered subject to the Medical Disclaimer.

8. Content License

• Academic citation: free with credit to the source (e.g. KBrain Map, https://kbrain-map.org/blog/[slug], date accessed)
• Non-commercial partial quotation: allowed with credit to the source
• Commercial republication: requires prior written consent