Objective:

We aimed to describe the most impactful research production in neurology and to compare it to the global burden of neurological diseases.

Background:

Approximately 43% of people worldwide are affected by a neurological condition, making these diseases the leading cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). However, whether the highest-impact research focuses on the diseases that impose the most significant global burden remains unclear.

Design/Methods:

We conducted a descriptive study utilizing bibliometric analysis of the top 10 neurology journals, ranked by H-index on Scimago. MeSH terms, including subject fields, were extracted. Thematic maps were constructed for the period from 2019 to 2024. Thematic clusters were identified based on their centrality (relevance) through co-occurrence with other MeSH terms, and each term’s degree of development (absolute frequency). These findings were then contrasted with the global burden of neurological diseases (1990-2021).

Results:

A total of 3,219 original research articles from 10 journals were included. Of these, 38% and 17% were published in Neurology and Stroke journals. Key motor clusters included stroke and spinal diseases. Basic cluster themes were around magnetic resonance imaging and biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. Niche clusters were associated with COVID-19 and rehabilitation. Emerging/declining clusters were centered around Parkinson's disease and sleep disorders. In comparison, stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, Alzheimer's disease, meningitis, and epilepsy had the highest DALYs globally, while diabetic neuropathy and migraine accounted for the most years lived with disability (YLDs).

Conclusions:

Our analysis highlights a gap between high-impact research and the global burden of neurological diseases. While research predominantly focuses on stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, conditions with significant disability burdens. Other diseases, such as neonatal encephalopathy, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis and migraine had comparatively less research effort. This suggests the need for a more targeted research agenda aligned with the most significant neurological disease burden worldwide.