The Evolving Landscape of Neuroscience
Neuroscience emerged as a distinct academic discipline during the 20th century and has undergone rapid expansion since then. However, a comprehensive analysis of its evolving landscape remains lacking. The present study provides a large-scale, data-driven, mapping of neuroscience research. Leveraging large language models and clustering techniques to analyze 461,316 articles published between 1999 and 2023, this study reveals the field's structural organization and highlights dominant themes. Citation network analysis uncovers a surprisingly integrated picture and key intellectual hubs that shape the broader research landscape. An analysis of how research clusters align with pre-defined dimensions demonstrates a strong experimental focus, widespread reliance on micro theories, and a growing emphasis on applied and translational research. At the same time, fundamental research is at the risk of decline while theoretical work and cross-scale integration remain limited. This study provides a framework for understanding neuroscience's trajectory and identifies potential avenues for strengthening the field.