To construct an MRI-centered bibliometric map of heart-brain axis research to clarify its publication trends, collaboration networks, thematic clusters, intellectual base, and emerging frontiers.
Approach:
Data Collection: A bibliometric analysis was performed on 6,446 articles and reviews from the Web of Science Core Collection (1984–2025) and validated with a PubMed dataset (n = 6,389).
Analysis Tools: Utilized VOSviewer, CiteSpace, SCImago Graphica, and Excel for mapping knowledge structures, research hotspots, and collaborative networks.
Keyword Analysis: Conducted keyword co-occurrence analysis to identify primary research clusters.
Key Findings:
Strong concordance in annual publication trends between WoSCC and PubMed datasets (Pearson r = 0.988, R2 = 0.976).
Identified four primary clusters: 'Technology & Development', 'Function & Regulation', 'Risk & Pathology', and 'Hemodynamics & Perfusion'.
High-TLS keywords included 'MRI', 'functional connectivity', 'dementia', and 'hemodynamics'.
Leading contributors were the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom, with prominent institutions like the University of Toronto and Harvard Medical School.
Citation bursts and recent keywords such as 'artificial intelligence' reflect the technological evolution of the field.
Interpretation:
Limitations:
The analysis is limited to English-language articles and reviews.
Exclusion of studies focused solely on MRI technical methodology or primary brain-only neurological diseases may limit the scope.
