Alternative splicing-based therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases: a dual-database bibliometric and NLP-driven...

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are driven by complex molecular dysregulation, among which aberrant alternative splicing (AS) has emerged as a critical pathogenic mechanism. Despite the rapid development of splicing-targeted therapeutics, including antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) and small molecules, comprehensive big-data syntheses mapping this translational landscape remain scarce. This study systematically analyzes the global research trends, conceptual frameworks, and clinical evolution of AS-based therapeutics for NDDs using an integrated bibliometric and natural language processing (NLP) approach.

A dual-database retrieval strategy utilized the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and PubMed. The analysis targeted literature published between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2025. A primary dataset of 620 records was extracted from WoSCC for comprehensive bibliometric mapping and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling. A parallel analysis incorporated 10 targeted clinical trials and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from PubMed using CLARA clustering to characterize high-evidence research. Bibliometric analyses, encompassing network topologies, citation bursts, and keyword evolution, were visualized using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, SCImago, and R.

Publication output exhibited sustained linear growth from 2000 to 2025. The United States and Western Europe emerged as the dominant collaborative hubs, while China exhibited high productivity but limited international integration. LDA topic modeling identified three core conceptual axes: molecular mechanisms, disease-specific pathological models (e.g., ALS, Alzheimer's, and SMA), and translational methodological frameworks. Keyword trajectories delineated a transition from fundamental in vitro exploration to in vivo models, culminating in clinical "drug discovery" and "RNA" therapeutics. CLARA clustering of clinical trials demonstrated a stark concentration of splicing-modifying interventions in pediatric spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), revealing a dual-track paradigm of supportive care and molecular interventions.

This multi-database bibliometric and NLP-driven study delineates the structural landscape of AS-based therapeutics for NDDs. It identifies a definitive paradigm shift from descriptive molecular biology to clinically actionable splicing interventions. These insights highlight the necessity to expand targeted RNA platforms beyond SMA into adult neurodegenerative populations, providing a strategic roadmap for future translational research.