Mapping the neurobiological landscape linking obesity with selected psychiatric conditions: global trends and emerging hotspots

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Obesity frequently co-occurs with a range of psychiatric conditions, creating an important global public health challenge. However, neurobiological research on these associations remains fragmented across disciplines, and a systematic bibliometric synthesis is lacking. OBJECTIVE: To map the knowledge structure, identify research hotspots, and characterize temporal trends in neurobiological research linking obesity with selected psychiatric conditions. METHODS: Relevant literature (2010-2025) was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Following screening, 476 studies were included. Bibliometric and visualization analyses were conducted using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and Scimago Graphica. A supplementary Scopus analysis assessed publication overlap and concordance in selected bibliometric indicators. RESULTS: Publications surged after 2021, with the last 5 years accounting for 54.2% of the total. The United States and China had the highest publication counts. Among the 10 most productive countries, France had the highest mean annualized citations per publication. Core hotspots include neuroinflammation, the gut-brain axis, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction, and high-fat diet. CONCLUSION: Neuroinflammation, the gut-brain axis, and HPA-axis-related processes emerged as recurring themes. These findings highlight the need for further investigation of metabolic, immune, and neural processes in geographically diverse populations, particularly in developing regions.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Global Health Action, 2026 · DOI ↗