Mapping and visualizing global research trends in gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorder

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with increasing research interest in its association with the gut microbiota. However, the knowledge structure and development of this field have not been systematically analyzed. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of English-language publications related to ASD and gut microbiota from 2015 to 2024 using the Web of Science Core Collection. We used the bibliometrix package in R, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace for analysis, focusing on publication trends, geographic and institutional contributions, prominent authors and journals, citation patterns, keyword dynamics, and thematic clusters. Results: A total of 1309 publications were included, involving corresponding authors from 64 countries or regions. The annual number of publications steadily increased from 2015 to 2022, followed by a slight decline in 2023 and a partial rebound in 2024, with the US and China contributing the most. Leading authors and teams were primarily based in North America and Europe. Thematic evolution revealed a shift from early mechanistic research to intervention-focused topics, such as short-chain fatty acids, fecal microbiota transplantation, and probiotics. Conclusion: Research on ASD and gut microbiota is progressing from theoretical exploration toward early-stage translational research, with increasing investigation of potential clinical applications. Future studies should emphasize multi-omics integration, mechanistic validation, and international collaboration. This bibliometric analysis offers a comprehensive overview to inform and guide future research in this rapidly evolving field.