Bibliometric analysis of traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (2015-2024)

Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, poses a significant global public health challenge. This study aimed to systematically assess the research landscape of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)  in the prevention and treatment of AD using bibliometric methods, with particular emphasis on its distinctive mechanisms and recent progress in clinical translation. Methods: Publications on TCM for AD prevention and treatment from 2015 to 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Key bibliometric indicators, including authorship, keywords, journals, countries, institutions, and references, were extracted and analyzed. Results: A total of 705 publications from 35 countries and 835 institutions were included. Among the top 10 contributing countries, 60% were located in Asia, while the rest were from North America, Europe, and Oceania. China led the field with 654 publications, accounting for 86.6% of the total output. The Journal of Ethnopharmacology emerged as the most influential journal based on citation count (848 citations). Keyword analysis highlighted molecular docking, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress as key research hotspots. Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis offers valuable insights into global trends and research priorities regarding TCM in AD treatment. The findings provide a theoretical basis for promoting the clinical application of TCM and support the advancement of integrated efforts across industry, academia, and research sectors. The study also demonstrates enormous potential for cross-integration with perioperative medicine. Such integration is crucial for enhancing the role of TCM in the prevention and management of AD.