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The Role of Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Mild Cognitive Impairment: a Scientometric and Visualization Analysis
Ming Cai1,2, Si Chen3, Yihong Du4
1Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences Affiliated Zhoupu Hospital, 1500 Zhouyuan Road, Shanghai, 201318, China.
Abstract:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a pathological stage between normal cognitive aging and dementia. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown is emerging as an early biomarker of MCI. This study aimed to visually analyze the literatures related to MCI caused by BBB dysfunction in recent 20 years, systematically identify collaboration networks, track research trends, highlight current hot spots, and predict future frontiers in this field. The related literatures published from 2000 to 2021 were obtained from the Web of Science with the search term "mild cognitive impairment and (blood-brain barrier or neurovascular unit or neurovascular coupling)". VOSviewer software was used to present knowledge map, CiteSpace software was used to extract literature information and make tables, including the top most influential countries, authors, institutions, periodicals, keywords, and references. A total of 333 literatures were used for visual analysis. After 2013, the literatures in the field of BBB dysfunction-induced MCI showed an increased trend in terms of year of publication and quantity of material, with more than 40 publications published each year. USA, England, China, and Sweden cooperated closely. In terms of institutions, Harvard Med Sch ranked first in the number of papers published, followed by Mstricht Univ and Univ Washington. In terms of journals, three of the top five co-cited journals belonged to USA, the other two journals were Neurobiol Aging and J Alzheimers DIS, which were from England and Netherlands respectively. A total of 1752 authors were identified, with Abhay P Sagare the most published and Zlokovic BV the most cited. Keyword emergence detection analysis showed that inflammation, oxidative stress, and memory were new research hot spot in this field. Overall, the research on BBB dysfunction-induced MCI is booming. In the future, cooperation and communication between different countries and institutions should be strengthened.
Insights
Blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown is an early sign of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Research on BBB dysfunction in MCI is rapidly growing, with recent trends focusing on inflammation, oxidative stress, and memory. Increased global collaboration is key for future advancements.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biomedical Research
- Cognitive Aging
Background:
- Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a pathological stage between normal aging and dementia.
- Breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is increasingly recognized as an early biomarker for MCI.
- Understanding the link between BBB dysfunction and MCI is crucial for developing early diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To visually analyze literature on MCI caused by BBB dysfunction over the past two decades (2000-2021).
- To identify collaboration networks, track research trends, and highlight current and future research frontiers in this field.
- To systematically map the knowledge landscape of BBB dysfunction in MCI.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of 333 publications from the Web of Science database (2000-2021).
- Utilized VOSviewer for knowledge mapping and CiteSpace for extracting literature information.
- Keywords used: "mild cognitive impairment" and ("blood-brain barrier" or "neurovascular unit" or "neurovascular coupling").
Main Results:
- Literature on BBB dysfunction-induced MCI has shown a significant increasing trend since 2013, with over 40 publications annually.
- The USA, England, China, and Sweden exhibit close international collaboration.
- Harvard Medical School, Maastricht University, and University of Washington are leading institutions; Abhay P. Sagare is the most published author, and Zlokovic B.V. is the most cited.
Conclusions:
- Research on BBB dysfunction contributing to MCI is experiencing a boom.
- Emerging research hotspots include inflammation, oxidative stress, and memory.
- Enhanced international and inter-institutional cooperation is recommended to advance the field.
