Neuroimaging Research in Alzheimer’s Disease Across Africa: A Systematic Bibliometric Review (1983–2024)

Neuroimaging Research in Alzheimer’s Disease Across Africa: A Systematic Bibliometric Review (1983–2024) | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Systematic Review Neuroimaging Research in Alzheimer’s Disease Across Africa: A Systematic Bibliometric Review (1983–2024) Mercy Nathaniel, Wadzani Dauda Palnam, Peter Abraham, Israel Ogwuche Ogra, and 12 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7915450/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Neuroimaging has become an indispensable tool in the early diagnosis and progression monitoring of Alzheimer’s disease, driven by advances in multimodal imaging and artificial intelligence. However, its application remains limited in low-resource settings, particularly across the African continent. This study provides the most temporally extensive (1983–2023) and methodologically integrated review of AD-focused neuroimaging research in Africa to date. Building on earlier dementia-related bibliometric efforts, it uniquely combines a PRISMA-guided systematic review with bibliometric mapping and trend analysis to assess imaging modality evolution and collaborative patterns across the continent. A total of 223 Scopus-indexed articles selected from an initial pool of 696 documents were analyzed using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to identify publication trends, author productivity, institutional contributions, keywords clusters, and collaboration networks. The research trajectory shows a clear evolution in three distinct phase: (i) foundational phase (1997–2009), characterized by reliance on computed tomography (CT) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (ii) methodological expansion (2010–2018), marked by the employment of more sophisticated imaging modalities such as functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and positron emission tomography (PET); and (iii) technological surge (2019–2024) reflected by the adoption of advanced computational tools, including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms for image processing and predictive modeling. In Africa, Egypt emerged as regional leader, with a robust international collaboration sustained over the years especially with European institutions. Followed by South Africa and Tunisia with commendable efforts amongst others. Despite this progress, the study highlights persistent disparities in research output, access to advanced imaging infrastructure and inclusion in global neuroimaging networks. These findings present the need for more inclusive funding mechanisms, regional imaging hubs, capacity building, ethical data-sharing practices, and policies to strengthen Africa’s contribution to global AD neuroimaging research (Fig. 1). Neurology Alzheimer’s disease neuroimaging Africa systematic review bibliometric analysis early detection disease monitoring artificial intelligence Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7915450","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Systematic Review","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":532992302,"identity":"716540fa-69c4-4cf3-b3b5-c89cfd365cd6","order_by":0,"name":"Mercy Nathaniel","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9819-508X","institution":"Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mercy","middleName":"","lastName":"Nathaniel","suffix":""},{"id":532992304,"identity":"26eaecf2-86d8-46e2-8f14-29659cfcde06","order_by":1,"name":"Wadzani Dauda Palnam","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA8UlEQVRIiWNgGAWjYHACAyCWYGwAMT4AmWzspGhhnAHSwkycFgawFmYeEJOQFoPjhzd/+LnDQrZ/RvLGzza/tsnzMTMwfviYg0fLmbQCw94zEsYzbqQVS+f23TZsY2Zglpy5DbcWswM5Bgm8bRKJDTdyDKRze24zArWwMfPi03L+jcHBv0At82/kGP+27LltT1jLjRzDZpAtG27kmEkz/LidSFCL/Y1nxcyybRLGG888K7Psbbid3MbM2IzXL5L9yZs/vm2rk513PHnzjR9/btvOb28++OEjHi2ogLENTDYQqx4E/pCieBSMglEwCkYKAAB2LFU8DToF1wAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5233-0058","institution":"Faculty of Science, Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria,","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Wadzani","middleName":"Dauda","lastName":"Palnam","suffix":""},{"id":532992305,"identity":"be156cb3-5560-4b08-a60f-110a3f0bfe95","order_by":2,"name":"Peter Abraham","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1545-5297","institution":"Department of Horticultural Technology, Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin Kowa, Gombe State, Nigeria,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Peter","middleName":"","lastName":"Abraham","suffix":""},{"id":532994508,"identity":"17a22e36-9b73-4454-9118-de03406f0f21","order_by":3,"name":"Israel Ogwuche Ogra","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7121-0713","institution":"Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Avenue, Tomsk, 634050, Russian Federation,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Israel","middleName":"Ogwuche","lastName":"Ogra","suffix":""},{"id":532994509,"identity":"accdf713-10bd-4180-9d63-fd2cda80ea40","order_by":4,"name":"Emohchonne Utos Jonathan","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8576-8910","institution":"Department of Biochemistry, Federal University Wukari, Wukari P.M.B. 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Emohchonne","middleName":"Utos","lastName":"Jonathan","suffix":""},{"id":532994510,"identity":"31ec2a2b-cd2c-490d-beea-26394b844cd2","order_by":5,"name":"Samson Usman","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6838-8378","institution":"Department of Crop Protection, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Samson","middleName":"","lastName":"Usman","suffix":""},{"id":532995148,"identity":"76d729ed-f532-485d-966e-4cc24e5224c1","order_by":6,"name":"Mela Ilu Luka","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6332-2058","institution":"Department of Microbiology, Federal University Lokoja, Kogi state, Nigeria,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Mela","middleName":"Ilu","lastName":"Luka","suffix":""},{"id":532995149,"identity":"7a124cc3-1acd-4672-84c4-5242f8bbccaa","order_by":7,"name":"Elkanah Glen","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3432-5295","institution":"Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, [email protected]","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Elkanah","middleName":"","lastName":"Glen","suffix":""},{"id":532997804,"identity":"e8a20107-04ff-415c-b54d-e5642bea8365","order_by":8,"name":"Morumda Daji","email":"","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2589-3012","institution":"Department of Microbiology, Federal University, Wukari, Taraba State, Nigeria,","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Morumda","middleName":"","lastName":"Daji","suffix":""},{"id":532997805,"identity":"e836dee4-4351-43b2-a582-9390628aee27","order_by":9,"name":"Ndukwe K. 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(1983–2024)\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Alzheimer’s disease, neuroimaging, Africa, systematic review, bibliometric analysis, early detection, disease monitoring, artificial intelligence","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7915450/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7915450/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eNeuroimaging has become an indispensable tool in the early diagnosis and progression monitoring of Alzheimer\u0026rsquo;s disease, driven by advances in multimodal imaging and artificial intelligence. However, its application remains limited in low-resource settings, particularly across the African continent. This study provides the most temporally extensive (1983\u0026ndash;2023) and methodologically integrated review of AD-focused neuroimaging research in Africa to date. Building on earlier dementia-related bibliometric efforts, it uniquely combines a PRISMA-guided systematic review with bibliometric mapping and trend analysis to assess imaging modality evolution and collaborative patterns across the continent. A total of 223 Scopus-indexed articles selected from an initial pool of 696 documents were analyzed using VOSviewer and Biblioshiny to identify publication trends, author productivity, institutional contributions, keywords clusters, and collaboration networks. The research trajectory shows a clear evolution in three distinct phase: (i) foundational phase (1997\u0026ndash;2009), characterized by reliance on computed tomography (CT) and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); (ii) methodological expansion (2010\u0026ndash;2018), marked by the employment of more sophisticated imaging modalities such as functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and positron emission tomography (PET); and (iii) technological surge (2019\u0026ndash;2024) reflected by the adoption of advanced computational tools, including machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms for image processing and predictive modeling. In Africa, Egypt emerged as regional leader, with a robust international collaboration sustained over the years especially with European institutions. Followed by South Africa and Tunisia with commendable efforts amongst others. Despite this progress, the study highlights persistent disparities in research output, access to advanced imaging infrastructure and inclusion in global neuroimaging networks. These findings present the need for more inclusive funding mechanisms, regional imaging hubs, capacity building, ethical data-sharing practices, and policies to strengthen Africa\u0026rsquo;s contribution to global AD neuroimaging research (Fig.\u0026nbsp;1).\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Neuroimaging Research in Alzheimer’s Disease Across Africa: A Systematic Bibliometric Review (1983–2024)","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-10-22 08:23:15","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7915450/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"921724a6-b47d-449c-86d7-dc6c61063501","owner":[],"postedDate":"October 22nd, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":56685161,"name":"Neurology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-10-22T08:23:15+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-10-22 08:23:15","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7915450","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7915450","identity":"rs-7915450","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}