The search for better noncholinergic treatment options for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a biological process that involves the disruption of multiple neurochemical pathways. Current treatments for Alzheimer's disease focus on deficits in the cholinergic neurochemical pathway. While newer generation cholinergic agents have a more favorable side effect profile, only a limited, but consistent, degree of efficacy is seen. Treatments are emerging that focus on other areas of neurochemical activity such as oxidative damage, inflammation, glutamatergic neurotransmissions, and serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways. These treatments, supplemented with current cholinergic therapies, may help to ease patients' suffering and caregiver distress.