Trends in Neuro-Oncology Publications: A Bibliometric Analysis of JNO

Overview

This bibliometric study analyzed publication trends in the Journal of Neuro-Oncology (JNO) focusing on country representation and gender of authors. Findings reveal increasing global contributions with notable disparities in country-based representation and a gradual rise in female authorship over time.

Background

Central nervous system (CNS) tumors remain a significant global health challenge, ranking as a leading cause of death in both children and adults. Neuro-oncology has advanced considerably due to innovations in molecular profiling, neuroimaging, and other technologies. Scholarly journals like JNO play a pivotal role in disseminating research findings and shaping clinical practice. Understanding publication trends in such journals is essential to assess representativeness and identify disparities in global research contributions.

Data Highlights

Data were extracted from Scopus and validated with Web of Science, covering all JNO publications since its inception in 1983. Gender of first authors was determined using a validated Python package with >80% accuracy. Country affiliations of corresponding authors were analyzed, and a novel Country-based Representativeness and Diversity (CRD) index was developed to adjust for differences in neurosurgical publication output across countries.

Key Findings

• JNO publications have increased significantly over the past decades, reflecting growth in neuro-oncology research.
• The United States leads in publication volume, followed by countries in Europe and Asia, but disparities exist when adjusted for overall neurosurgical output.
• The CRD index revealed underrepresentation of some countries despite their neurosurgical research productivity.
• Female authorship in JNO has increased over time, paralleling broader trends in medical research, though gender disparities persist.
• High-income countries contribute disproportionately to JNO publications, highlighting resource and access disparities.
• Collaborative and multidisciplinary research has grown, as evidenced by increasing numbers of authors per publication.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians and researchers should be aware of geographic and gender disparities in neuro-oncology literature to promote inclusivity and diversity in research. Journals like JNO can play a critical role by encouraging submissions from underrepresented regions and supporting gender equity initiatives. Enhanced global collaboration may improve the generalizability and applicability of neuro-oncology research findings.

Conclusion

The bibliometric analysis of JNO highlights evolving publication trends with increasing diversity but persistent disparities in country representation and gender. Continued efforts are needed to foster equitable participation in neuro-oncology research worldwide.

References

1. Global CNS Tumor Incidence and Mortality Studies
2. Advances in Neuro-Oncology Research and Technology
3. Bibliometric Methods in Medical Research Analysis
4. Gender Disparities in Medical Research Authorship
5. Country-Based Publication Trends in Neurosurgery