No causal treatment or highly effective preventive strategies are available for Alzheimer's disease to date. Symptomatic measures are still essential to improve cognitive and behavioural deficits. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, the NMDA-antagonist memantine and the phytopharmaco ginkgo biloba are currently the substances most extensively studied and most widely used to improve cognition and activities of daily living. Behavioural disturbances oftentimes respond to antidementia drugs, but may demand specific treatment with neuroleptics, antidepressants, stabilizers and other substances.