Research Evolution and Frontiers in Glial Scar and Spinal Cord Injury Research: A Bibliometric Perspective

Glial scars play a key role in the pathophysiology of spinal cord injury. This study aims to systematically analyze global research trends and advances on glial scars in spinal cord injury through bibliometric methods.

A comprehensive literature search was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the R package Bibliometrix evaluated publication output, citation patterns, author and institutional contributions, international collaboration, journal impact, keyword co-occurrence, and emerging research themes.

The analysis encompassed 1293 articles on glial scars and spinal cord injury, authored by 7219 researchers from 4185 institutions across 51 countries. China led with 487 publications (37.7%), followed by the USA with 316 articles and the highest citation count of 27,628. Among institutions, the Chinese Academy of Sciences demonstrated the strongest collaborative network (total link strength = 32). The Journal of Neuroscience stood out as the most influential journal, publishing 64 articles and receiving 5703 citations. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified five thematic clusters: Injury Responses and Inflammatory Mechanisms; Glial Scar Biology and Central Nervous System Microenvironment; Axonal Regeneration and Inhibitory Molecules; Cell-Based Therapeutic Strategies; and Proteoglycan-Related Topics. Burst keyword analysis showed a recent emphasis on terms such as "inflammation," "recovery," "delivery," and "pathway."

This bibliometric study highlights the substantial growth and diversification of research on glial scars and spinal cord injuries in recent decades. The field is increasingly adopting interdisciplinary approaches and strengthening international collaboration, offering valuable insights into future research directions and potential clinical applications.