Insulin-like growth factor 1 associated research in Alzheimer’s disease: an exploratory trends analysis

Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and behavioral deterioration. In recent years, the role of the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling pathway in the pathological process of AD has received increasing attention. This study provides a visual analysis of the current research status, development trends, collaboration networks, and research hotspots related to IGF-1 and AD. Methods Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus databases. CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix software were used for visual analysis. Results A total of 632 publications were included in the study. The annual publications related to IGF-1 and AD exhibited an overall upward trend. Research was concentrated in North America, Asia, and Europe. The United States holds a dominant position in terms of output, influence, and international influence. The Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas was the most active institution. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease was the journal with the highest number of publications. Dr. Ignacio Torres-Aleman was the most prolific author. High-frequency keywords included IGF-1, AD, brain, insulin, controlled study, metabolism, oxidative stress, animals, signal transduction, amyloid beta protein, dementia, aging, and neuroprotection. Transgenic mouse, risk, depression, and cognitive impairment were the most powerful keywords that have emerged in recent years. Conclusion Research on IGF-1 and AD has continued to grow. Studies in this field have formed a tightly interconnected network, centered on the AD pathological core—IGF-1-related molecular mechanisms—downstream signaling pathways. The research focus is shifting from superficial correlations to investigations into underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Depression and cognitive impairment are likely to become promising frontiers for future research.