# Bibliometric analysis of global research trends in magnetic resonance imaging studies of substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease (2001–2024)

## TL;DR

This paper analyzes global research trends in MRI studies of the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease from 2001 to 2024.

## Contribution

The study provides the first bibliometric analysis of MRI research focused on the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease.

## Key findings

- The number of MRI studies on the substantia nigra in Parkinson’s disease has increased over the past decade.
- Key contributors include authors like Lehericy, Stephane, and institutions such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
- Research hotspots include quantitative susceptibility mapping and neuromelanin-sensitive MRI.

## Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a globally prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, primarily characterized by muscle rigidity, resting tremor, and bradykinesia. The incidence of PD is rapidly escalating worldwide. Numerous studies have been conducted on the application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in investigating the substantia nigra (SN) in PD patients. However, to date, no bibliometric analysis has been performed on this specific research area. Therefore, this study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current status in MRI research on the SN in PD patients.

MRI study records related to the SN in PD patients from 2001 to 2024 were searched by using the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database and then the CiteSpace and VOSviewer were used to conduct bibliometric analysis.

Our analysis found that the number of published articles related studies on MRI of the SN in PD showed an overall upward trend over the past decade, in which Lehericy, Stephane, Du, Guangwei, and Huang, Xuemei are the top three authors with the most articles. Additionally, United States, China and Germany are the main contributors to MRI studies of SN in PD. And Shanghai Jiao Tong University, University of Florida and Seoul National University are the leading institutions in the field. Finally, the keyword analysis showed that the hotspots and trends of research in this field are mainly concentrated in quantitative susceptibility mapping, neuroimaging, and neuromelanin-sensitive MRI.

These analysis identified the most influential authors, institutions, countries and research hotspots in the field of SN-MRI research in PD, which has reference significance for the research interest in this field and provides a new idea for PD prevention.