Top 100 Most-Cited Studies on MRI and Neuroplasticity in Stroke: A Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis of...

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become central to understanding neuroplasticity-the brain's capacity to reorganize after injury-by providing insights into structural and functional changes during recovery. Despite its importance, the intellectual and conceptual foundations of MRI-based neuroplasticity research in stroke remain underexplored. We conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications indexed in Scopus from January 2004 to December 2024. Eligible studies were original articles and reviews assessing neuroplasticity in stroke using MRI modalities. Citation Classics were defined as ≥100 citations. Performance indicators (citations, citation rate per year, active years, authorship, article type) were compared using Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests. Science mapping was performed with Biblioshiny (K-Synth Srl, Naples, Italy) and VOSviewer (Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands) to identify intellectual, conceptual, and collaborative structures. From 854 initial records, 100 most-cited articles were included (59-1,274 citations). Citation Classics (n = 62) had significantly higher mean citation counts and rates per year than non-Classics (p < 0.0001). Reviews predominated among Classics, while original research was more frequent in non-Classics. High-impact journals (Brain, Stroke, Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, and NeuroImage) accounted for the most influential articles, with strong correlations between journal metrics and citation performance. Leading institutions were Harvard Medical School, University of Cambridge, and University of California, Irvine, while the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom dominated global contributions. Emerging countries, including China and Japan, showed increasing participation. Science mapping revealed clusters on motor recovery, cortical reorganization, language rehabilitation, and emerging areas such as connectomics and machine learning. This study provides a comprehensive overview of MRI-based neuroplasticity research in stroke, identifying seminal works, leading contributors, and evolving research themes. While citation activity has declined in recent years, advances in connectomics, multi-modal imaging, and computational approaches offer promising directions. Expanding global collaborations and addressing underrepresented regions will be critical for inclusive progress. MRI remains central to bridging mechanistic insights with clinical applications, guiding innovation in personalized stroke rehabilitation.