Deciphering autoimmune encephalitis: Immune mechanisms, therapeutic paradigms, and global research trends

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) comprises a heterogeneous group of neurological disorders characterized by autoantibodies targeting neuronal cell surface or synaptic proteins, leading to severe central nervous system dysfunction. Recent advancements in understanding AE’s pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies have been significant; yet, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global research trends in AE pathogenesis and therapeutic interactions remains lacking. METHODS: Publications on AE pathogenesis and treatment from 1996 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database. Bibliometric tools including VOSviewer and CiteSpace were employed to analyze publication outputs, citation networks, key research themes, and trends. RESULTS: The analysis identified 2,728 articles involving 12,426 researchers from 3,153 institutions across 98 countries, showing increased publication growth particularly after 2017. The United States dominated in publication output, with the University of Pennsylvania ranking highest in total citations. Predominant research topics were AE pathogenesis, autoantibody characterization, and immunotherapeutic approaches. Keywords clustering highlighted core areas: neuronal receptor mechanisms, autoantibody subtypes, interplay with infections and autoimmune conditions, age-specific clinical presentations, and diagnostic approaches. CONCLUSION: This bibliometric study underscores the evolving and intricate relationship between AE’s pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies. Future research should prioritize elucidating precise immune mechanisms underlying AE to facilitate targeted and individualized treatments, ultimately enhancing clinical management and patient outcomes.