Aricept is a medication used to treat symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. When a person has Alzheimer's disease, nerve cells and chemicals in the brain disappear as the disease progresses and this affects memory and other brain activity. One of these chemicals is called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger in the brain which carries messages to other cells. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia have been linked with a deficiency of acetylcholine in the brain, which produces a loss of short term memory, problems expressing thoughts or comprehending requests, difficulty or inability in carrying out activities of daily living, changes in personality, confusion or disorientation to time, place, or person, unexplainable mood swings, loss of initiative in starting or completing activities, aggression, agitation, and depression. Aricept is designed to slow down the progression of these symptoms by increasing the effectiveness of available acetylcholine in the brain, so individuals can maintain functioning, improve short term memory, and retain better cognitive ability for a longer period of time. Aricept has been approved for use in early, moderate, and late stages of Alzheimer's disease. A person interested in using Aricept must consult with their physician to see if it is right for them.