Bibliometric analysis of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease: Insights from APP/PS1 mouse model research in the past two decades.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The APP/PS1 transgenic mouse is a foundational model in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research, particularly for investigating the pivotal role of neuroinflammation in disease pathogenesis. Although substantial experimental work has explored inflammatory mechanisms in AD, the field still lacks a comprehensive overview of how research hotspots have evolved, which key scientific questions remain unresolved, and how global research efforts align with existing mechanistic gaps. Therefore, this investigation systematically evaluated scholarly trends, geographic contributions, institutional productivity, and thematic evolution to synthesize actionable insights that will guide subsequent experimental designs. METHODS: Bibliometric analysis was conducted on peer-reviewed articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection (2005-2024). Analytical tools, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Bibliometrix, were employed to quantify research output, collaborative networks, citation metrics, and keyword co-occurrence patterns. RESULTS: Annual publication numbers exhibited exponential growth post-2015, reflecting an intensified focus on neuroinflammatory mechanisms in AD. China and the United States contributed 83.4 % of total publications, with the University of Barcelona as the most productive institution. High-impact journals such as Nature, Nature Neuroscience, and Brain Behavior Immunity. The analysis identified key scientific issues and evolving research fronts, with current hot topics focusing on oxidative stress, activated microglia releasing inflammatory cytokines, and abnormal autophagy-lysosome pathways. CONCLUSION: The APP/PS1 mice have a significantly enhanced mechanistic understanding of neuroimmune interactions in AD pathogenesis. Future research should explore microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and brain-gut microbiome interactions to uncover novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for AD. This study offers an evidence-based framework to guide researchers using APP/PS1 mice model.