Table 3_Global research trends in stroke and gut microbiota: a multi-database bibliometric analysis and cross-validation study.xlsx

BackgroundThe fields of stroke and the gut microbiota are closely linked via the “gut-brain axis,” and their complex bidirectional interactions have emerged as a significant research focus. This study represents the first systematic bibliometric analysis of this field, aiming to delineate its knowledge structure, evolutionary trajectory, current research hotspots, and emerging frontiers.
MethodsData for this study were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, covering the period from January 1, 2000, to August 31, 2025. Following a screening process, a total of 1,236 relevant articles were included in the analysis. Bibliometric and visualization tools, including CiteSpace, VOSviewer, R software, and Microsoft Excel, were employed to systematically analyze the distribution of research disciplines, publication output, contributions by country/region, institutional collaborations, influential authors, core journals, co-cited references, and keyword co-occurrence. Furthermore, to assess the robustness of our findings and explore characteristic differences across databases, we performed a multi-database validation and comparative analysis using data from Scopus and PubMed.
ResultsThe number of annual publications has shown a continuous increase, with a rapid surge in the number of articles published over the past 5 years, achieving an average annual growth rate of 20.6%. China leads the world in terms of the number of publications, while the United States plays a central role in early-stage research and international collaboration. This study demonstrates significant interdisciplinary integration, encompassing multiple disciplines including neuroscience, pharmacology, immunology, and microbiology. Current research hotspots focus on the interaction between gut microbiota dysbiosis and post-stroke neuroinflammation, the therapeutic potential of microbial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids), the exploration of gut-brain axis mechanisms, and probiotic intervention strategies. Mechanistic research and clinical translation have been identified as the primary drivers for the development of this field. Multi-database validation showed that the annual publication trends, keyword distribution, and rankings of major contributing countries were consistent.
ConclusionCurrent research hotspots have expanded from basic mechanisms toward clinical translation, underscoring the importance of elucidating common pathophysiological mechanisms and identifying potential therapeutic targets. Future research priorities include refining screening and diagnostic protocols for gut microbial biomarkers, developing effective prevention strategies based on probiotics and other microbiota-targeted interventions, and advancing individualized and targeted therapeutic approaches. By integrating multi-omics data with precision medicine approaches, the field is poised to further accelerate the translation of mechanistic discoveries into clinical practice, ultimately offering novel strategies for the prevention and treatment of stroke.

背景 卒中与肠道菌群领域通过“肠-脑轴（gut-brain axis）”紧密关联，二者复杂的双向交互作用已成为重要的研究热点。本研究为该领域首次系统性文献计量分析，旨在阐明其知识架构、演进轨迹、当前研究热点与新兴前沿。
方法 本研究数据检索自Web of Science核心合集，检索时段为2000年1月1日至2025年8月31日。经过筛选流程后，共纳入1236篇相关文献用于分析。研究采用文献计量与可视化工具，包括CiteSpace、VOSviewer、R软件及Microsoft Excel，系统分析了研究学科分布、发文产出、国家/地区贡献、机构合作情况、高影响力作者、核心期刊、共被引文献与关键词共现情况。此外，为验证研究结果的稳健性并探索不同数据库间的特征差异，本研究使用Scopus与PubMed的数据开展了多数据库验证与对比分析。
结果 年度发文量呈持续增长趋势，近5年发文数量快速攀升，年均增长率达20.6%。中国在发文量方面位居全球首位，而美国在早期研究与国际合作中处于核心地位。本研究领域体现出显著的跨学科融合特征，涵盖神经科学、药理学、免疫学与微生物学等多个学科。当前研究热点聚焦于肠道菌群失调与卒中后神经炎症的交互作用、微生物代谢产物（如短链脂肪酸）的治疗潜力、肠-脑轴机制探索以及益生菌干预策略。机制研究与临床转化被认为是推动该领域发展的核心动力。多数据库验证结果显示，年度发文趋势、关键词分布与主要贡献国家的排名均保持一致。
结论 当前研究热点已从基础机制研究向临床转化拓展，凸显阐明共同病理生理机制与识别潜在治疗靶点的重要性。未来研究重点包括优化肠道微生物标志物的筛选与诊断流程、开发基于益生菌及其他菌群靶向干预手段的有效预防策略，以及推进个体化精准治疗方案。通过整合多组学数据与精准医学手段，该领域有望进一步加速机制发现向临床实践的转化，最终为卒中的预防与治疗提供全新策略。