Alzheimer's disease, the commonest cause of dementia in the developed world, is
increasing in prevalence as the population ages. Alzheimer's disease is characterised by
both cognitive symptoms such as memory impairment and non‐cognitive symptoms such as
behavioural changes. Until recently, available management options for both the cognitive
and non‐cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer's disease had been exclusively psychosocial in
nature. However, several lines of inquiry have led to important advances in the treatment of …

In Alzheimer's disease, cognition now responds to several drugs. Anticholinesterases target
the acetylcholine deficit. In mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease, they all provide significant
benefit versus placebo on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment ScheduleCognitive Section
(ADAS-Cog), Side effects, in 5% to 15% of cases, include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
anorexia, and dizziness. Tacrine, the leading anticholinesterase, caused frequent hepatic
enzyme elevation and was withdrawn; once-daily donepezil spares the liver and improves …