Bibliometric analysis on the research trends in neurotrophic factors

Objective: This study aimed to conduct a bibliometric analysis on the research progress of neurotrophic factors (NTFs) in recent 10 years, in which, we delineated the productivity of authors, institutions, and countries, identifying influential journals, and uncovering research hotspots and leading trends. Methods: Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection using the keyword “neurotrophic growth factor”. After refining search criteria, 2,510 publications, including 1,953 articles and 557 reviews, were analyzed. Meanwhile, tools such as VOSviewer and Microsoft Excel were employed for data visualization, network mapping, and trend analysis. Results: The analysis revealed a relatively stable publication trend from 2014 to 2019, followed by a gradual decline after 2019. The United States led in research output (705 publications), followed by China (550 publications), with China showing significant growth in recent years. Institutional contributions were dominated by Chinese universities, such as Sun Yat-sen University, while Western institutions, such as the University of British Columbia and University of California, Los Angeles, demonstrated higher citation impacts. Among authors, Margaret Fahnestock and Ronald S. Duman emerged as highly influential based on citation metrics, despite fewer publications compared to other prolific authors. Keyword analysis highlighted emerging research themes, such as NTF-based therapies and innovative delivery systems. Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis provides a comprehensive overview of NTF research over the past decade, highlighting trends in productivity, impact, and collaboration. While Chinese institutions and authors contributed significantly to the field's volume, Western counterparts produced more impactful studies. These findings underscore the evolving landscape of NTF research and offer insights to guide future studies and clinical applications.