Research trends and frontiers of astrocytes in cognitive impairment: a bibliometric analysis from 2015 to 2024

Astrocytes, constituting the predominant glial cell population with in the central nervous system, have emerged as a focal point of investigation due to their multifaceted roles and therapeutic implications in cognitive disorders. Despite the growing body of research, there has yet to be a bibliometric analysis to determine research trends and hotspots in this field.

We searched for publications related to cognitive impairment and astrocytes in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC), PubMed, and Scopus databases from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2024. Using VOSviewer, CiteSpace software, and bibliometrix based on the R programming language, we performed visualization and bibliometric analysis of WoSCC data, covering aspects such as countries, institutions, authors, journals, keywords, and references. Additionally, we conducted equivalent searches in the Scopus and PubMed databases using the same keyword combinations, time range, and screening criteria. By verifying the consistency of time series, thematic focus, and country rankings across databases, we ensured the stability and universality of the results.

Over the past decade, investigations into the role of astrocytes in cognitive disorders have demonstrated a consistent upward trajectory, with the United States and China emerging as leading contributors. The primary focus has been on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, VD, and Traumatic brain injury. The hippocampus has been identified as a critical brain region in these studies. Neuroinflammation has persisted as a central research focus and continues to represent a key direction for future investigations. Synaptic dysfunction is a recent research hotspot. The integration of single-cell sequencing technology has facilitated more comprehensive mechanistic analyses in this field. Multi-database validation results indicate that publication trends, thematic priorities, geographical distribution, and journal distribution exhibit macro-level stability.

This study employed bibliometric methods to map the development trends and research hotspots in studies related to astrocytes and cognitive impairments over the past decade, and emphasized the importance of translating current research into clinical applications. This will provide insights and references for future studies.