The interaction between pain and mental disorders: An interdisciplinary analysis through bibliometrics

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry
• Immunology

Background:

• Pain perception and mental illness progression are increasingly understood to involve complex neuroimmune interactions.
• The interplay between the nervous and immune systems is critical for understanding both pain and psychiatric disorders.
• Existing research highlights the need for a deeper understanding of neuroinflammation's role in these conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a bibliometric analysis of research on pain and mental disorders from 2014-2023.
• To identify emerging research hotspots, key themes, and future directions in the field.
• To map collaborative networks and pivotal contributors in neuroimmune research.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace software.
• Systematic literature review from 2014 to 2023.
• Co-citation analysis, keyword co-occurrence, and burst detection.

Main Results:

• Significant growth in research on neuroimmune interactions in pain and mental disorders.
• Identification of neuroinflammation, microglial activation, and neurotransmitter roles as key themes.
• Mapping of major research institutions and collaborative networks.

Conclusions:

• Neuroimmune mechanisms are central to understanding pain and mental disorders.
• Future research should focus on molecular intricacies for personalized treatment strategies.
• An interdisciplinary approach is essential for advancing the biopsychosocial model.