Objective:

To conduct a systematic bibliometric analysis of the literature on short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and their correlation with cognitive impairment.

Approach:

• Data Retrieval: Literature published from 2009 to 2025 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and Scopus databases.
• Bibliometric Analysis: Bibliometric analyses were performed using the Bibliometrix R package, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace software to evaluate research outputs and generate visualizations.

Key Findings:

• A total of 425 articles from WoSCC and 514 from Scopus were included.
• Annual publications on SCFAs and cognitive impairment showed a continuous upward trend from 2009 to 2025.
• China contributed the largest number of publications, with Wenzhou Medical University as the core collaboration hub.
• The International Journal of Molecular Sciences was identified as a major publication platform.
• Zhang, Xin was recognized as a core author in SCFA-cognitive impairment research.
• High-frequency keywords included 'gut microbiota,' 'Alzheimer’s disease,' 'neuroinflammation,' and 'gut-brain axis.'
• Recent research frontiers encompassed 'drug therapy,' 'microbiology,' and 'chemistry.'

Interpretation:

The study provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the association between SCFAs and cognitive impairment, clarifying the evolutionary trajectory of research themes and identifying potential future research directions.

Conclusion:

This study conducted a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the association between SCFAs and cognitive impairment, clarifying the evolutionary trajectory of research themes.