Research on stem cell therapy for brain injury: A bibliometric and visual analysis (2009-2025)

Brain injury refers to a state in which the brain cannot function due to an abnormality in the nerve tissue from internal or external causes. However, existing treatments for brain injury are largely unable to promote neural regeneration or reverse structural damage. In contrast, stem cell-based approaches provide a significant potential for repairing such injuries.

This study conducted a bibliometric visualization analysis using tools such as CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica, based on 8785 relevant publications indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 2009 to 2025.

A total of 8785 publications were included in this study. The number of publications in this area showed a significant linear growth trend. China and the United States were the core research nations. The University of California System and Harvard University were the main research institutions. Michael Chopp and Cesar V. Borlongan were the core high-output scholars. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), exosomes, and neuroinflammation represented the most prominent research directions at present.

This study reveals the knowledge structure, distribution of research capabilities, and developmental trajectory in the field of stem cell therapy for brain injury. It provides data support and decision-making references for scientific planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and clinical translation in this domain.