Xu Shu-Ying, Zhang Siyao, Zeng Chun-Li, Peng Yong-Jun, Xu Min
Department of Acupuncture-Moxibustion, Tuina and Rehabilitation, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, SuZhou, China.
Department of Treatment of Disease, Kunshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Kunshan Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Kunshan, SuZhou, China.
Mol Neurobiol. 2025 Apr 11. doi: 10.1007/s12035-025-04862-0.
This study employs a bibliometric analysis to examine the evolution and future trajectories in epigenetic modifications in neurology from 2004 to 2024. A total of 12,964 publications were scrutinized via the R bibliometrix package and VOSviewer for network visualization, complemented by Scimagp Graphica to elucidate global collaborative networks. Our extensive review reveals a significant growth in the field of epigenetic neurology studies, driven by an increased output of publications and evidenced by an enhanced focus on epigenetic modifications. The USA and McGill University are recognized as central contributors, with Nature leading as the most prolific journal and J. Mill and E.J. Nestler distinguishing themselves as key authors by publication volume and citation impact, respectively. A detailed keyword analysis highlighted "expression," "DNA methylation," "brain," "gene-expression," and "gene" as the most recurrent terms, indicating core areas of research concentration. Subsequent manual analysis due to software-detected inaccuracies reaffirmed Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and schizophrenia as predominant neurological diseases associated with epigenetic studies. Pathophysiological processes such as DNA methylation, oxidative stress, and synaptic plasticity have been extensively examined in relation to epigenetic modifications in neurology. Synthesis of the reference literature analysis identifies critical themes such as the role of glucocorticoid receptors, the significance of hydroxymethylcytosine in neural DNA, the implications of epigenetic patterns in mental health, and the impact of BDNF gene on memory consolidation. Emerging technologies and underexplored areas further highlight future directions. These insights into epigenetic research in neurology indicate a sustained and intensifying trajectory, hinting at expanding horizons for future therapeutic approaches and interventions. Our findings underscore an active and progressing interest in neurological epigenetics, suggesting a continued expansion and specialization in the exploration of epigenetic mechanisms and their clinical relevance.
本研究采用文献计量分析方法，以考察2004年至2024年神经学领域表观遗传修饰的发展历程及未来趋势。通过R语言的bibliometrix包和用于网络可视化的VOSviewer对总共12964篇出版物进行了仔细审查，并辅以Scimagp Graphica来阐明全球合作网络。我们的广泛综述显示，表观遗传神经学研究领域有显著增长，这体现在出版物数量的增加以及对表观遗传修饰关注度的提高上。美国和麦吉尔大学被认为是主要贡献者，《自然》是发表量最多的期刊，J. Mill和E.J. Nestler分别因其发表量和引用影响力而成为关键作者。详细的关键词分析突出了“表达”“DNA甲基化”“大脑”“基因表达”和“基因”是最常出现的术语，表明这些是研究集中的核心领域。由于软件检测到不准确之处而进行的后续人工分析再次确认，阿尔茨海默病、癌症和精神分裂症是与表观遗传研究相关的主要神经疾病。DNA甲基化、氧化应激和突触可塑性等病理生理过程已在神经学表观遗传修饰方面得到广泛研究。参考文献分析的综合结果确定了关键主题，如糖皮质激素受体的作用、羟甲基胞嘧啶在神经DNA中的意义、表观遗传模式对心理健康的影响以及脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）基因对记忆巩固的影响。新兴技术和未充分探索的领域进一步突出了未来的方向。这些对神经学表观遗传研究的见解表明该领域的发展轨迹持续且不断强化，暗示着未来治疗方法和干预措施的前景广阔。我们的研究结果强调了对神经表观遗传学的积极且不断发展的兴趣，表明在表观遗传机制及其临床相关性的探索方面将持续扩展并更加专业化。
