Immunological landscape of nanotechnology-based depression research: a bibliometric analysis of neuroinflammation and immune modulation

Purpose Immune dysregulation and neuroinflammation have been increasingly implicated in depression, and nanotechnology-based approaches are being actively explored for targeted delivery and immunomodulation. However, a systematic, immune-oriented bibliometric mapping of research at the intersection of nanotechnology and depression remains limited. This study aims to characterize the publication landscape, collaboration patterns, and thematic evolution of this field using bibliometric evidence. Methods Relevant publications (up to December 8, 2025) were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus. Bibliometric visualization and network analyses were performed using Bibliometrix, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace to examine publication trends, global collaborations, core journals, and immune-related research themes. Results A total of 591 publications were included, showing marked growth after 2020. China and the United States were leading contributors in publication output and citation impact. Keyword co-occurrence, burst detection, and co-citation analyses indicated a thematic evolution from earlier emphases on neurotransmitter-related delivery/stabilization toward increasing attention to neuroinflammation- and immune-modulation–related topics. Recent hotspots and bursts were frequently associated with microglial biology/polarization, oxidative stress, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusion This bibliometric study provides a descriptive overview of how research attention within nanotechnology and depression has evolved, with increasing prominence of immune- and neuroinflammation-related themes. These trend-based findings may help prioritize directions for future experimental and translational investigations.