A Bibliometric Analysis of the Impact of Air Pollutants on Cognitive Function: Global Trends and Research Hotspots (2005–2025)

Abstract

This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to explore global research trends and hotspots in the impact of air pollutants on cognitive function from 2005 to 2025. A total of 307 English articles retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection were analyzed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer. The results show a general increasing trend in publications, with a peak in 2024. Major contributing authors include Sunyer Jordi and Guxens Monica, while the United States, China, and Spain are the most productive countries. Keyword co-occurrence and cluster analysis identified key research themes such as Alzheimer's disease, particulate matter, prenatal exposure, older adults, and adolescents. The strongest burst terms include "prenatal exposure," "black carbon," and "older adults." The study provides a systematic overview of the evolving research landscape and highlights emerging directions in this field.