Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40260387›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in pharmacology2025

Global research trends in biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and drugs for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a bibliometric and visualization analysis.

Na Guo, Weicheng Huang, Jianliang Huang, Ying Liu, Kai Zhu, Wei Gao

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in pharmacology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Na Guo *Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Weicheng Huang *Center for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Jianliang HuangCenter for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Ying LiuMedical College of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, China.
Kai ZhuMedical College of Jishou University, Jishou, Hunan, China.
Wei GaoCenter for Experimental Medicine, The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons, marked by complex pathological mechanisms and a lack of effective treatments. Despite substantial global research efforts, no comprehensive bibliometric analysis has systematically mapped the evolution of ALS biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and pharmacological advancements. Methods: This study, based on 4,250 publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (2005-2025), employs bibliometric tools such as CiteSpace and VOSviewer to conduct the first multidimensional analysis of global trends in ALS biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and drug research. Results: The results revealed contributions from 20,168 authors across 92 countries, with annual publications growing at an average rate of 16.5%. The United States dominated research output, accounting for 34.07% (n=1,448, TLCS=7,100), while the United Kingdom achieved the highest research impact with an average of 68 citations per article. Leading institutions, including the University of Oxford and the University of Milan, consistently produced high-impact studies. Pioneering scholars such as Turner MR and Kiernan MC made significant contributions to advancing therapeutic targets and drug discovery. The interdisciplinary integration of molecular biology and genetics emerged as a core driver of progress in ALS research. Neurofilament light chain (NfL), antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) drugs, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), oxygen free radicals (oxidative stress), and gene therapy have consistently remained central research focuses in the ALS therapeutic field. Looking ahead, stem cell therapy, blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration technologies, and skeletal muscle targeting are poised to emerge as prominent research directions. Conclusion: The United States dominates ALS research productivity, whereas the United Kingdom demonstrates superior citation influence. Despite China's substantial publication volume, its limited citation impact underscores the necessity for enhanced methodological rigor and strategic international collaboration. Current research priorities encompass NfL, TMS, and ASO therapies, with emerging innovations in stem cell therapy, BBB penetration technologies and skeletal muscle targeting showing therapeutic promise. Future directions should prioritize biomarker standardization, optimization of drug delivery systems, and Clinical Translation.

Indexed as

amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)bibliometric analysisblood-brain barrier penetrationinterdisciplinary neurologyneurodegenerative biomarkersskeletal muscle targetingstem cell therapytranslational therapeutics

Identifiers

PMID40260387
PMCPMC12009895

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.