A bibliometric analysis of the associations between Osteoporosis and Central Nervous System

This study aims to assess research trends on the association between osteoporosis and the Central Nervous System, investigate global research trends in this area, and systematically review their relationship. The Web of Science core collection database, PubMed database, and Scopus database were searched for relevant publications from 2015 to 2025, and countries, institutions, authors, keywords, and literature were analyzed and visualized using bibliometric software CiteSpace.6.4.1, Vosviewer 1.6.20, BICOMB, and gCLUTO to investigate scientific achievements, research collaboration networks, research hot spots, and research trends. A total of 3062 articles published between 2015 and 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed database, Scopus database, and analyzed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace. Results showed steady growth in publication volume, with the United States as the leading contributor. PLOS ONE is the journal with the highest citation count. Key authors and institutions included Liu, Yang, the South China University of Technology, and Harvard University. Major keywords included “cognitive impairment”, “inflammatory response”, “glutamic acid”, “PTH”, and “mesenchymal stem cells” represent current and forward-looking future research trends and target themes in the field. This study employs bibliometrics to explore the interactions between osteoporosis and the central nervous system. The findings suggest that cognitive impairment, particularly Alzheimer's disease, exerts adverse effects on osteoporosis-related bone metabolism, with more pronounced impacts observed in women. Glutamate, inflammatory cytokines, and mesenchymal stem cells serve as key mediators in bone-brain communication. Concurrently, parathyroid hormone regulates bone metabolism by modulating the HPA axis, while excessive HPA axis activation promotes the development of osteoporosis. Notably, the “bone-brain axis” theory has deepened our understanding of how the central nervous system regulates skeletal metabolism. It reveals mechanisms whereby the brain transmits signals through regions like the hypothalamus, triggering a cascade of mediators that modulate osteoblast and osteoclast activity. This insight encourages researchers to adopt a holistic perspective, emphasizing not only the skeletal system itself but also the critical influence of brain state on the onset and progression of osteoporosis. • This study systematically examined the association between osteoporosis and the central nervous system using bibliometric methods, based on 3,062 publications from 2015 to 2025. • Results indicate a sustained increase in research activity in this field, with the United States leading the way. Key emerging topics include “cognitive impairment,” “inflammatory response,” “glutamate,” and “mesenchymal stem cells.” • The study suggests that cognitive impairment (particularly Alzheimer's disease) may exacerbate osteoporosis by affecting bone metabolism, with a more pronounced effect observed in women. • Key mediators in the “brain-bone dialogue” include glutamate and inflammatory cytokines. • The study provides further support for the “bone-brain axis” theory, indicating mechanisms by which the brain (such as the hypothalamus) may regulate bone metabolism through signaling pathways. • This underscores the need to consider the profound influence of brain state when studying the skeletal system.