Global Trends and Collaborative Networks in Serotonin-Mediated Pain Modulation Research: A Scoping Review and...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Pharmacology
• Pain Research

Background:

• Serotonin is crucial for pain modulation, making it a key research target.
• Understanding influential research provides insights into pain management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the intellectual structure and collaborative networks in serotonin-mediated pain modulation research.
• To identify key contributors, institutions, and thematic trends in the field.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and bibliometric analysis of 100 most-cited articles (1999-2021) from Scopus.
• Analysis of citation metrics, authorship, institutions, countries, journals, and keywords.
• Mapping intellectual structure using co-citation and keyword co-occurrence networks.

Main Results:

• The United States, France, and Japan are leading contributors.
• Key authors (Hamon M., Yaksh T.L., Porreca F.) and journals (Pain, Neuroscience) identified.
• Four major thematic clusters: serotonin receptors, analgesia, nociception, and international collaboration (65% of publications).

Conclusions:

• Research on serotonin-mediated pain modulation is global and interdisciplinary.
• International collaborations and key contributors significantly shape the field.
• Findings offer direction for future neuropharmacology and pain management research targeting serotonergic mechanisms.