Depression and macrophages: A bibliometric and visual analysis from 2000 to 2022

Macrophages are closely related to the occurrence and development of depression, but there are few bibliometric studies on the role of macrophages in depression. We aim to examine the current state and frontier trends of the research on macrophages in depression from 2000 to 2022 in this study, so as to establish a new direction for follow-up research. METHODS: The literature scan covering the period 2000 to 2022 was performed on macrophages in depression, which were analyzed with Citespace 6.1.R2 and VOSviewer 1.6.18 after manual screening, including country publications, institutions, authors, journals, keywords, and references. RESULTS: This study included 387 papers in total. There has been an increase in the number of published papers since 2009. In terms of productivity, the United States and Ohio State University are the most productive countries and institutions. The most cited author is Maes M, cited 173 times, which has made a great contribution to the study of macrophages in depression. In terms of publications, Pariante CM, Drexhage HA. have the largest number, each author with five. Brain Behavior and Immunity is the most published and cited journals. The highest burst intensity keyword is microglia, and the highest burst intensity reference is Dowlati Y, 2010. CONCLUSION: Research hotspots and trends are analyzed and predicted in this study, which will facilitate the development of macrophage research in depression, so as to provide a reference for further research in this field.