# Mapping the global research landscape of mitophagy in Parkinson's disease: a bibliometric and visualization analysis

## TL;DR

This paper maps global research on mitophagy in Parkinson's disease, highlighting key institutions, authors, and research themes from 2007 to 2024.

## Contribution

The study provides the first dedicated bibliometric analysis of mitophagy research in Parkinson's disease.

## Key findings

- The United States is the most productive country in mitophagy-PD research.
- McGill University and Nobutaka Hattori are leading institutions and authors in the field.
- Key research themes include PINK1/Parkin, mitochondrial quality control, and α-synuclein.

## Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is closely linked to mitochondrial dysfunction and mitophagy, a key mechanism in PD pathogenesis. However, no dedicated bibliometric analysis of mitophagy in PD exists. This study used data from the Web of Science Core Collection to map the global research landscape of mitophagy in PD. The analysis of 1,578 publications (2007–2024) identifies the United States as the most productive country. McGill University ranks as the top institution, and Nobutaka Hattori is the most prolific author. The journal Autophagy is the journal with the highest number of publications in this field. Core research themes included PINK1/Parkin, mitochondrial quality control, α-synuclein, neuroinflammation, and ferroptosis. The study provides insights into the current status of global collaboration and translational progress in this field. Future efforts should aim to further explore new pathways, enhance clinical translation, and promote collaborative partnerships to advance research and address challenges in the field.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41065-025-00544-y.