Co-citation analysis of molecular imaging in neuropsychiatric disorders: integrating perspectives from radiology, neuroscience, and psychiatry

Abstract Background Molecular imaging plays a key role in advancing understanding of neuropsychiatric disorders. However, the conceptual structure of this interdisciplinary field remains poorly mapped from a bibliometric perspective. The objective of this study was to explore the intellectual structure and thematic development of research on molecular imaging applied to neuropsychiatric disorders using co-citation network analysis. Methods A bibliometric co-citation analysis was conducted using data retrieved from Scopus. A targeted search strategy identified articles from 2014 to 2023 focused on MRS, fMRI, PET, and SPECT in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders. Bibliographic data were exported, and cited references were analyzed using VOSviewer. A manually curated thesaurus was applied to unify variant citations and reduce duplication. Co-citation networks were generated, and thematic clusters were identified and interpreted based on total link strength and citation density. Results The co-citation network included 51 documents and revealed six major thematic clusters encompassing automated anatomical labeling and brain segmentation, functional and structural connectivity, affective neuroscience, clinical biomarkers, and methodological standardization. Notable references included foundational works on resting-state functional connectivity, motion correction, and diagnostic criteria for neuropsychiatric disorders. The clustering structure highlighted the convergence of radiology, neuroscience, and psychiatry around shared methodological tools and conceptual frameworks. Conclusion Co-citation analysis revealed a well-defined and maturing intellectual landscape in molecular imaging applied to neuropsychiatry. The identified clusters represent distinct yet interconnected research lines, reflecting methodological innovation and translational potential. These findings offer a roadmap for future research, emphasizing methodological rigor, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical applicability.