Mapping the Research Landscape of Carbohydrates and Depression- A Scientometric Approach

ABSTRACT
Objective: To conduct a comprehensive quantitative and qualitative analysis of the literature on carbohydrates and depression using scientometric methods, in order to identify the general characteristics, focus, frontiers, and paradigm shifts, as well as to interpret the critical literature in this knowledge domain and illustrate the emerging trends. Methods: Using the Web of Science Core Collection database as the data source, a total of 15,663 relevant articles published from 2007 to 2024 were retrieved and obtained after initial data cleaning. CiteSpace software was employed to perform visual analysis on these articles, including the temporal and source distribution of publications, as well as keywords and citation analysis (frequency, centrality, and burst detection). Results: The number of publications has grown rapidly with the number of publications surging in 2008, 2013, 2018, 2020, and 2021. The United States and China are the main contributors to this field, with China exhibiting extremely high burst strength but lower centrality. Research topics have gradually shifted from drug therapy of depression to gut-brain axis and nutritional interventions. Citation and keyword analysis revealed research hotspots such as metabolic syndrome, inflammation, GSK3, and gut-brain axis, with gut microbiota being the research frontier. Cluster analysis unveiled the evolution of research foci, from initial lithium therapy to GSK3 inhibitors and ketamine, and currently to diet and probiotics. Conclusions: Research shows a trend of multidisciplinary integration. Gut microbiota, nutritional psychiatry, personalized drug therapy, and metabolic diseases will continue to be the focus of future research.
KEYWORDS: Carbohydrates, Depression, Cluster Network Co-occurrence Analysis, Paradigm Shifts

摘要
研究目的：采用科学计量学方法对碳水化合物与抑郁症相关的文献开展全面的定量与定性分析，以期厘清该领域的整体特征、研究热点、前沿方向与范式变革，同时对该知识域内的核心文献进行解读，并阐明新兴研究趋势。
研究方法：以Web of Science核心合集（Web of Science Core Collection）数据库为数据源，经初步数据清洗后，共检索获取2007年至2024年间发表的15663篇相关文献。使用CiteSpace软件对这些文献进行可视化分析，涵盖文献的时间与来源分布、关键词与被引分析（包括频次、中心性及突现检测）。
研究结果：文献发表数量整体呈快速增长态势，2008、2013、2018、2020及2021年出现发文量激增。美国与中国是该领域的主要贡献国，其中中国的突现强度极高但中心性相对较低。研究主题逐渐从抑郁症的药物治疗转向肠-脑轴（gut-brain axis）与营养干预。被引分析与关键词分析揭示了代谢综合征、炎症、糖原合成激酶3（GSK3）、肠-脑轴等研究热点，而肠道菌群为当前研究前沿。聚类分析揭示了研究焦点的演进历程：从最初的锂疗法，到糖原合成激酶3抑制剂与氯胺酮，当前已转向饮食与益生菌干预。
研究结论：本领域研究呈现多学科交叉融合的发展趋势，肠道菌群、营养精神病学、个性化药物治疗及代谢性疾病将持续成为未来的研究重点。
关键词：碳水化合物，抑郁症，聚类网络共现分析，范式变革