Cholinergic therapies for Alzheimer's disease: progress and prospects

Cholinomimetic drugs are now available to treat the cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), although evidence indicates that the effects of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors on measures of cognitive function may be secondary to an action on attentional mechanisms. There is also convincing evidence suggesting that cholinomimetic drugs (e.g., AChE inhibitors and agents acting on cholinergic receptors) will have utility in the treatment of other, non-cognitive changes in behavior that are often associated with AD. This review describes some of the approaches to cholinergic therapy and considers the symptoms that are best suited to these treatment modalities.