Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42175444›Full record

ArticleMedicine2026

Hotspots and trends of microglia in ischemic stroke: A bibliometric analysis from 1998 to 2024.

Li Ma, Jiang-Peng Cao, Jia-Shan Li, Ze-Zhi Fan, Shuai Chen, Jun-Yi Li, Xiao-Wei Lin, Yi Guo

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Li MaResearch Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.ORCID 0009-0005-9799-8982
Jiang-Peng CaoFirst Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Jia-Shan LiResearch Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Ze-Zhi FanResearch Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Shuai ChenResearch Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Jun-Yi LiResearch Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Xiao-Wei LinResearch Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.
Yi GuoResearch Center of Experimental Acupuncture Science, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIschemic stroke (IS) represents a predominant cause of disability globally, characterized by significant neuroinflammatory responses facilitated by microglia, the resident immune cells of the central nervous system. A comprehensive understanding the current research landscape in this field is essential for guiding future inquiries. However, a systematic, quantitative panorama analysis of this intersecting field is lacking. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis of publications retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, elucidating historical developments, collaboration networks, and emerging frontiers.

objectiveThis study endeavors to perform a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of microglia research in IS, with the aim of elucidating historical developments, identifying current research frontiers, and proposing future directions through a quantitative assessment of publication trends, collaboration networks, and the evolution of conceptual frameworks.

methodsUtilizing controlled vocabulary terms for IS and microglia, we conducted a systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection database. After applying exclusion criteria, our analysis included 5709 publications (4859 articles; 850 reviews). We employed Bibliometrix R, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace for advanced bibliometric analysis.

resultsThe annual publication count showed exponential growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.6% over the past 5 years (2020-2024), indicating robust research momentum. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses accounted for 14.9% of the total, highlighting the growing importance of integrative evidence. China (n = 1852) and the United States (n = 1723) leading in research contributions. Capital Medical University emerged as the most prolific institution (n = 217). Journal of Neuroinflammation was the primary publication venue (n = 142), while Stroke had the highest citation count (8742 citations). Moo-Ho Won was the most productive author (n = 68), and Iadecola C. was the most co-cited researcher (n = 1024). Keyword analysis identified "microglia polarization" (burst strength = 36.5), "NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammasome" (burst strength = 32.1), and "extracellular vesicles" (burst strength = 28.7) as emerging research frontiers.

conclusionOur analysis outlines 3 key research trajectories, molecular mechanisms of microglia activation, particularly NLR family pyrin domain containing 3-mediated pathways; phenotypic modulation of microglia during stroke recovery; and novel roles in angiogenesis and immunomodulation. The emergence of "gut-microbiota-brain axis" and "mitochondrial transfer" as new research themes offers promising directions for investigation. These findings provide a strategic framework for prioritizing research on neuroinflammation and neurorepair after stroke.

Indexed as

BibliometricsIschemic StrokeMicrogliaAnimalsHumansbibliometric analysiscitespaceischemic strokemicrogliaVOSviewer

Identifiers

PMID42175444
PMCPMC13201014

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

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.