Objective: To analyze the research status, hotspots, and evolving trends in the application of transgenic animal models in nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChRs) research. Methods: Scientific publications related to nAChRs were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Tools including CiteSpace 6.3 R1 and VOSviewer 1.6.20 were employed to conduct a knowledge graph visualization analysis of SCI-indexed literature from the past decade, focusing on annual publication volumes, institutions, authors, and keywords. Results: A total of 206 relevant articles on nAChR transgenic animal research were included. The annual publication volume has shown an overall upward trend. The included literature involves 1,272 authors, with Virginia Commonwealth University and The Second Military Medical University being the most prolific institutions; however, collaboration among institutions remains limited. High-frequency keywords include "Activation", "Expression", and "Inflammation". Current research hotspots primarily focus on inflammation, nicotine addiction, and neurological diseases. Conclusion: Research utilizing nAChR transgenic animals has garnered significant attention over the past decade. The core research trend in this field is likely shifting from the exploration of basic subunit structures and synaptic transmission functions toward translational applications in complex clinical scenarios, such as neurological disorders and nicotine addiction.