Uncovering the Global Landscape of PTZ-Induced Experimental Epilepsy Model Research: A Bibliometric Analysis

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder affecting millions of individuals worldwide and remains a major focus of experimental research. The pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model is widely used in preclinical epilepsy studies; however, its global research landscape has not been systematically evaluated. In this study, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of PTZ-related epilepsy publications was conducted to identify research trends, influential contributors, and evolving thematic areas. A total of 1,768 original articles published between January 2000 and October 2023 were retrieved from the Scopus database and analyzed using bibliometric tools, including Biblioshiny and VOSviewer, to assess publication output, citation patterns, authorship, institutional and national productivity, and conceptual structure. The results demonstrated a steady growth in PTZ-related publications over time, with China emerging as the leading contributor in terms of publication volume, while Poland showed a high degree of international collaboration. The most cited study was the work by Baraban et al. investigating PTZ-induced behavioral and neural changes in zebrafish. Epilepsy and Behavior, Epilepsy Research, and Epilepsia were identified as the most productive journals in this field. Keyword and thematic analyses revealed frequently studied topics such as oxidative stress, anticonvulsant activity, and neuroinflammation, along with emerging research interests including brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuronal damage. This study represents the first bibliometric evaluation specifically focused on the PTZ-induced experimental epilepsy model and provides a comprehensive overview of the global research landscape. The findings may assist researchers in recognizing key contributors, identifying research gaps, and guiding future experimental studies in epilepsy.