Recent investigations have given new insights into pathogenetical determinants of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid deposition and neurofibrillary tangles are no longer considered to be primary pathological changes. Neurobiological research tries to work out the etiopathogenital cascade that finally causes Alzheimer's disease. So far, several relevant pathogenetical factors have been detected, e.g. pertubated control of glucose breakdown, impairment of oxidative metabolism, impaired neuroprotection due to increased oxidative stress and non-enzymatic protein glycation as well as immunological disturbances. Thus, new strategies for the development of cognition-enhancing drugs are emerging. The authors review reports on agents, that are under investigation for the treatment of cognitive symptomatology in Alzheimer's disease. Some of these agents have already been used for treatment of other medical conditions, e.g. nimodipine, memantine as well as selegiline. Many of them are still experimental. Promising strategies include antioxidative agents (e.g. vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotin), acetylcholinesterase-inhibitors with central selectivity (e.g. ENA 713), M1- and M4-muscarinic receptor agonists (milameline) as well as sabeluzole, a benzothazide derivative that shows neurotrophic activities and anti-inflammatory substances like indomethacin.