Systematic bibliometric and visualized analysis of research hotspots and trends in obstructive sleep apnea neuroimaging

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ABSTRACT Background Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients exhibit neurological symptoms, driving research in sleep medicine and clinical neurology. Neurologists and radiologists explore detection methods to identify unique neural features associated with OSA in the atypical nervous system. Neuroimaging research in OSA encompasses studying the structural, functional connectivity (FC), and neurometabolic aspects of the brain. Limited resources and OSA’s heterogeneity pose challenges to effective neuroimaging research. This study aims to conduct a bibliometric analysis of OSA neuroimaging research to identify key trends and emerging themes. Methods This research utilizes various techniques, including functional MRI, structural MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electroencephalography, among others. Publications from 1993 to 2023 were retrieved from Web of Science on neuroimaging. Analysis tools included Bibliometric.com, CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and R4.3.2. Results A total of 714 papers were published in 47 countries, with 651 articles, 55 reviews, and 8 meeting abstracts. The USA led in publications, with the University of California System contributing most, primarily in “Sleep” journal. The study identified 2916 authors, with Macey PM having the highest publication count. Recent years highlighted burst keywords such as network, classification, sleep staging, FC, and brain activity. Analysis of keyword clusters revealed “electroencephalography” with the longest temporal duration. Conclusions Neuroimaging in OSA research has gained increased attention. Incorporating behavioral sleep medicine insights could enhance understanding of OSA’s impact on brain function and behavior. This study aims to assist researchers in identifying potential collaborators, institutions, and key themes, providing a comprehensive perspective on OSA neuroimaging research and related sleep disorders.