Cholinesterase inhibitors are the only drugs which have demonstrated clinical efficacy in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Following on from tacrine, the only drug approved in the US for treating this condition, comes a new generation of these agents, all vying for a place in the therapy of this cognitively debilitating disease. The new cholinesterase inhibitors were extensively discussed at the Third International Springfield Symposium on Advances in Alzheimer Therapy [Illinois, US; May 1994].