How to read Neuroscience research papers effectively
Reading neuroscience research papers can get overwhelming, especially papers that go in depth about neural circuitry, with acronyms and long Latin root words streamed together as if it’s some magical spell. Here are some tips on how to not get too lost and overwhelmed with neuroanatomical names so you can focus better on its content.
- Read the abstract, and write down what the main purpose of the paper on the top
When trying to keep tabs on intimidating names while trying to follow its neural circuits, it’s so easy to get caught up in all the small details, that you forget why you’re trying to follow in the first place. I find it helpful to have a sentence or two at the top of my notes about what the paper is investigating so I don’t lose sight of its purpose.
2. Scan through the paper and write down any acronyms you see, familiar or not
Create a list of acronyms and difficult latin rooted anatomical names down so you can easily identify what you don’t know. As you pick up bits and pieces are particular structures, you can write notes next to the keywords. Now you have a growing reference sheet!
3. Do a little research beforehand to categorize unfamiliar neuroanatomical names with larger, familiar names
Try to do research on where neuroanatomical structures are in general to better have in mind the basic nervous system geography and its function. For example, when you’re trying to first understand the paper on the neurobiology of trauma, you may not need to know and memorize the full names of MeA, CeA, or BNST nor its specific functions. You may just need to know that these structures are part of or related to amygdala, which may have functions related to fear, and may play a role in upregulation of fear when discussing trauma.
Remember: you don’t have to understand everything in one go
Papers can get overwhelming. Contents may take more than 10 times reading the same line to understand. You might try searching up another paper that it’s referencing, which may reference you to another paper, and before you know it, you might have 20 tabs of papers open on your laptop. But always remind yourself, that you don’t need to understand everything in one go. Breathe, reread the paper however many times you’ll need to, take time to take notes, relax.
Happy reading!
