Zhang Zihao, Hao Qingpei, Lv Gaoquan, Peng Shijun, Wang Tao, Chang Xin, Wang Yuepeng, Ouyang Jia, Liu Ruen
Department of Neurosurgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
Departments of Radiology, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China.
Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Sep 5;104(36):e44265. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000044265.
Despite a surge in neuropathic pain (NP) biomarker research over the past 2 decades, the translation of discoveries into clinical practice remains slow. To understand this translational gap, we conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis to map the field's evolution, intellectual structure, and strategic challenges.
We conducted a bibliometric analysis of NP biomarker-related publications from 2004 to 2024 using the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. Tools including CiteSpace, VOSviewer and Scimago Graphica were employed to evaluate authors, institutions, countries/regions, journals, keywords and co-citations.
A total of 2437 articles were included in this study. The United States and European countries play a leading role, while China demonstrates high publication output but comparatively lower citation impact. Keyword analysis identified 5 major research clusters, exposing a clear thematic evolution from foundational "molecular mechanisms" towards technology-driven frontiers, including "neuroimaging" and emerging biomarkers like "neurofilament light chain" (NfL).
This study provides a strategic map of the NP biomarker field, highlighting a persistent gap between robust basic science discovery and its clinical application. The field's fragmentation into distinct research "silos" (e.g., molecular, neuroimaging) underscores that the primary future challenge is enhancing interdisciplinary integration. Accelerating progress will depend on building bridges between these domains to develop the multi-modal biomarker strategies essential for improving patient care.
尽管在过去20年里神经病理性疼痛（NP）生物标志物研究激增，但研究成果转化为临床实践的速度仍然缓慢。为了解这一转化差距，我们进行了全面的文献计量分析，以描绘该领域的发展历程、知识结构和战略挑战。
我们使用科学引文索引核心合集（WoSCC）数据库对2004年至2024年与NP生物标志物相关的出版物进行了文献计量分析。使用CiteSpace、VOSviewer和Scimago Graphica等工具来评估作者、机构、国家/地区、期刊、关键词和共被引情况。
本研究共纳入2437篇文章。美国和欧洲国家发挥着主导作用，而中国虽然发表量高，但引文影响力相对较低。关键词分析确定了5个主要研究集群，揭示了从基础的“分子机制”到技术驱动前沿的明显主题演变，包括“神经影像学”和“神经丝轻链”（NfL）等新兴生物标志物。
本研究提供了NP生物标志物领域的战略地图，突出了强大的基础科学发现与其临床应用之间持续存在的差距。该领域分裂为不同的研究“孤岛”（如分子、神经影像学），这凸显出未来的主要挑战是加强跨学科整合。加速进展将取决于在这些领域之间架起桥梁，以制定改善患者护理所必需的多模式生物标志物策略。
