Alzheimer's Disease and Inflammation Research: A Systematic Bibliometric Review and Network Visualization of the Published Literature Between 2000 and 2023.

Abstract

Introduction/objective: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss. In recent years, inflammation has gained recognition as a key contributor to both the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease, acting through complex pathways that include neuroinflammation and immune system dysregulation. This study aims to systematically review the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and inflammation, focusing on publication trends from 2000 to 2023.

Methods: Using the Scopus database, a bibliometric analysis was conducted through Microsoft Excel, Harzing's Publish or Perish, and VOSviewer, examining publication trends, citation metrics, and co-network visualization.

Results: A total of 1,205 relevant publications were identified, revealing a steady increase in research output. The majority of contributions came from the United States (33.1%), China (16.8%), and the United Kingdom (8.8%). Key terms such as "neuroinflammation", "cytokine", "microglia", "amyloid beta", and "oxidative stress" dominated the literature, while emerging keywords included "neuroprotection", "BDNF", "inflammasome", and "mitochondria".

Conclusion: These findings underscore the growing focus on the role of inflammatory processes in the etiopathology of Alzheimer's disease, as well as efforts to identify biomarkers and neuroprotective therapeutic targets. This study provides a detailed mapping of the research landscape, offering insights into the evolving knowledge structure and highlighting prominent countries, institutions, authors, journals, and highly cited articles. By identifying key trends, this review advances our understanding of the interplay between inflammation and Alzheimer's disease, paving the way for future research and clinical strategies.