Gut Microbiome and Sleep Research Explodes 30-Fold Since 2014
Bibliometric analysis reveals explosive growth in gut-sleep research, with China leading publications and obstructive sleep apnea emerging as key focus.
Summary
A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of 444 research papers reveals explosive growth in gut microbiome-sleep disorder research, increasing 30-fold from 2014 to 2024. China leads with 177 publications, while the US has highest citations. Key research focuses include obstructive sleep apnea, inflammation pathways, and fecal microbiota transplantation as emerging therapeutic approaches.
Detailed Summary
This bibliometric analysis examined 444 research papers on gut microbiota and sleep disorders from the Web of Science database through December 2024, revealing remarkable growth in this emerging field. Publications increased dramatically from minimal numbers in 2014 to 125 papers in 2024—a 30-fold increase—with the most significant surge occurring after 2022 when annual publications nearly doubled from 44 to 84.
China dominates publication volume with 177 papers (39.9% of total), followed by the United States with 85 papers. However, the US leads in research impact with 3,717 total citations compared to China's 2,862. The analysis identified 69 contributing countries, with strongest international collaboration between China and the US. Shanghai Jiao Tong University leads institutional output with 14 publications, while Deakin University has the highest citation impact with 876 citations.
The research landscape spans 246 journals, with top-tier publications like Nutrients (20 papers), Frontiers in Microbiology (14 papers), and International Journal of Molecular Sciences (14 papers) leading the field. All top 10 journals maintain impact factors above 3.0, with six ranked Q1 in Journal Citation Reports. The most influential paper, "Gut microbiome diversity is associated with sleep physiology in humans" by Smith et al., was published in PLOS ONE in 2019.
Keyword analysis revealed ten primary research themes: gut microbiota, sleep, depression, inflammation, short-chain fatty acids, anxiety, brain function, oxidative stress, obesity, and general health. Obstructive sleep apnea emerged as a major research cluster, while fecal microbiota transplantation represents the current research hotspot. The analysis demonstrates how the brain-gut-microbiota axis has become central to understanding sleep disorders, with researchers increasingly focusing on bidirectional communication pathways involving immune regulation, neuroendocrine signaling, and neural conduction mechanisms.
Key Findings
- Research publications increased 30-fold from 2014 to 2024, reaching 125 papers annually
- China leads with 177 publications (39.9% of total), while US has highest citation impact with 3,717 citations
- 444 total papers analyzed from 69 countries and 915 institutions through December 2024
- Top 10 journals all maintain impact factors above 3.0, with 60% ranked Q1 in Journal Citation Reports
- Obstructive sleep apnea identified as primary research cluster focus area
- Fecal microbiota transplantation emerged as current research hotspot
- Strongest international collaboration exists between China and US (link strength = 13)
Methodology
Systematic bibliometric analysis of Web of Science Core Collection database from inception through December 31, 2024. Search strategy used comprehensive MeSH terms for gut microbiota and sleep disorders. Analysis employed VOSviewer and CiteSpace software for collaboration networks, citation analysis, and keyword clustering. Included only English-language articles and reviews meeting strict inclusion criteria.
Study Limitations
This is a bibliometric analysis limited to English-language publications in Web of Science database only, potentially missing relevant research in other languages or databases. The study analyzes research trends and collaboration patterns rather than clinical outcomes or treatment efficacy. No assessment of study quality or clinical significance of individual papers was performed.
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