Pharmacologic treatment of cognition in Alzheimer's dementia.

Much of the treatment research and development for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in recent years has been based on the cholinergic hypothesis. Cholinesterase inhibition has been shown to improve the symptoms of mild to moderate AD. Two cholinesterase inhibitors (CIs) are now available and two more may be available shortly. Free radical inhibitors, estrogen, and anti-inflammatory drugs may also delay the onset and slow progression of AD. Combination therapies employing CIs and these other drugs may prove successful in the future.