Global research trends in enteric nervous system and gut microbiota: a bibliometric analysis (2005-2025).
Overview
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China
Abstract
Background: The crosstalk between the enteric nervous system (ENS) and gut microbiota, along with their roles in disease, has garnered increasing scientific attention. However, a comprehensive and objective analysis of the field’s current status and evolutionary trajectory remains lacking.
Methods: We retrieved and screened relevant publications from the Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus database. Bibliometric and visual analysis were performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, R-studio, Origin and Excel 365.
Results: A total of 759 relevant articles and reviews published from 2005 to 2025 were included. The annual publication volume exhibited a discernible three-phase growth trajectory, culminating in a peak output in recent years. Collaboration network analysis revealed the United States as the most influential country. Leading institutions, based on publication output and centrality metrics, included University College Cork (Ireland), McMaster University (Canada), the University of Melbourne (Australia) and Baylor College of Medicine (the US). Key journals publishing in this field included the International Journal of Molecular Sciences and Neurogastroenterology and Motility. Author cooperation analysis highlighted John F. Cryan (Ireland) as the most influential scholar, with his seminal review “The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis” being the highly cited reference. Furthermore, keywords and co-cited reference analysis revealed that current research primarily centers on specific disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The pivotal role of neuroinflammation and neuro-immune interactions was consistently identified as a core pathological mechanism. Importantly, modulation of the gut microbiota via probiotics and microbial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids emerged as predominant potential therapeutic targets.
Conclusion: Research on the gut microbiota and the ENS elucidates the mechanisms and potential therapeutic directions for a spectrum of disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Fostering international collaboration and interdisciplinary exchange is crucial to accelerate the translation of high-quality research into clinical applications.
Reproduced under the paper's license (CC BY), from the paper cited above.
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Data
Datasets cited
- github.com/
taowang188/ , at github.com; found in “Data availability statement”1806356
Data availability statement
The data presented in the study are deposited in the GitHub repository: https://
Reproduced under the paper's license (CC BY), from the paper cited above.
Versions
The history of this record: each version stored by the harvester or made by a correction of its authors or of the maintainers of its code, and what changed in its facts. The texts of the paper (its abstract, its availability statements) are not part of it; versions that changed only those are not listed.
Version 2, 28 September 2026
- Funding: added Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province; Hunan Provincial Innovation Foundation for Postgraduate: CX20251170, CX20251150, CX20251177
Version 1, 27 September 2026: the first record
Recorded: type, language, journal, volume, pages, dates, 8 authors, 8 keywords, 6 MeSH terms, 73 references.
Cite
This paper
Tao, W., Yu, Y., Huang, X., Huang, J., Wang, N., Shangguan, X., Yu, R., & Xiao, F. (2026). Global research trends in enteric nervous system and gut microbiota: a bibliometric analysis (2005-2025). Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology, 16, 1806356. https://
BibTeX
@article{tao2026global,
author = {Tao, Wang and Yu, Yunfeng and Huang, Xiangning and Huang, Jiawang and Wang, Neng and Shangguan, Xueli and Yu, Rong and Xiao, Fan},
title = {{Global research trends in enteric nervous system and gut microbiota: a bibliometric analysis (2005-2025)}},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
volume = {16},
pages = {1806356},
publisher = {Frontiers Media SA},
issn = {2235-2988},
doi = {10.3389/
url = {https://
pmid = {42718434},
pmcid = {PMC13553251}
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
AU - Tao, Wang
AU - Yu, Yunfeng
AU - Huang, Xiangning
AU - Huang, Jiawang
AU - Wang, Neng
AU - Shangguan, Xueli
AU - Yu, Rong
AU - Xiao, Fan
TI - Global research trends in enteric nervous system and gut microbiota: a bibliometric analysis (2005-2025)
T2 - Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
J2 - Front Cell Infect Microbiol
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/
VL - 16
SP - 1806356
SN - 2235-2988
PB - Frontiers Media SA
DO - 10.3389/
UR - https://
LA - en
ER -
CSL-JSON
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