A Scientometric Visualization Analysis for Molecular Mechanisms of Substance Abuse and Its Neurotoxicity From 1997 to 2021

Abstract

Substance abuse has become a global problem due to drug-induced addiction and neurotoxicity, which causes a huge physical, social, and financial burden. Various kinds of drugs can hijack the users’/abusers’ behavior and associated neurocircuitry. To summarize recent scientific advances on drug abuse, we reviewed relevant publications to analyze research progress and such trends through bibliometric ways. Based on retrieval strategies, a total of 681 scientific records published from 1997 to 2021 were screened and included in the Web of Science (WoS) database. Further scientometric analysis revealed that annual publication output increased across this period, with the United States of America (USA) contributing a significant number of reasons. Research has focused on neurotransmitter, oxidative stress, mitochondrial system injury, and other neurotoxic mechanisms. Neuroimmune, neurotoxic targets, and new psychoactive substances have been hot topics in recent years, which deserve continued research in the future. Specific research on molecular mechanisms has progressed across this period, with an emphasis on the root cause of toxicity and molecular targets for therapy. Moreover, collaborations of international multi-disciplinary research teams have been efficient and need to be encouraged for addiction research and the development of appropriate therapeutic processes.

Exploring the topic structure and abuse trends of new psychoactive Substance since the 21st century from a bibliometric perspective

“… Solmi et al (2022) conducted a scientometric analysis to outline clinical research on psychedelics over the last century. Zhang et al (2022) reviewed publications on substance abuse and its neurotoxicity through bibliometric ways to deepen the understanding of this progress as well as trends for future research. However, these current studies largely analyze only one or a few drugs that intersect with NPS, while bibliometric analysis of more types of NPS is still lacking.…”