Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Research, Karnavati Scientific Research Center, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, IND
  • 2 Department of Research, Karnavati Scientific Research Center, School of Dentistry, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, IND
  • 3 Department of Periodontology and Implantology, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, IND
Cureus, 2024 Jul;16(7):e64635.
PMID: 39021745 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.64635

Abstract

Mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders, are often difficult to diagnose and monitor using traditional methods. Salivary biomarkers offer a promising alternative due to their non-invasive nature, ease of collection, and the potential to reflect real-time physiological changes associated with mental health. This bibliometric analysis examines 95 clinical trials on stress biomarkers for mental health, published between 2003 and 2024. The field is characterized by extensive collaboration and global participation, involving 593 authors and publications across 73 journals. Despite a consistent annual publication rate, notable increases in 2011, 2014, and 2018 indicate growing research interest. The United States leads in research output, followed by Australia, Germany, and Japan, with Psychoneuroendocrinology being the most prominent journal. Co-occurrence analysis identified nine research clusters, suggesting diverse directions such as the impact of stress-related hormones, circadian rhythms, mindfulness, various therapies, aging, psychological adaptation mechanisms, exercise therapy, anxiety disorders, and the autonomic nervous system on salivary biomarkers. Key terms such as "biomarkers/metabolism," AND "hydrocortisone/metabolism," AND "saliva/metabolism" were central, with significant activity from 2012 to 2018. This analysis highlights a growing focus on the metabolic processes and therapeutic applications of salivary biomarkers in mental health. This bibliometric analysis calls attention to the promising potential of salivary biomarkers to revolutionize mental health diagnostics and treatment through non-invasive methods, fostering interdisciplinary research, technological advancements, and global health improvements.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.