ABSTRACT
Many studies have been carried out in the last twenty years to investigate this effect of anticholinergic and other drugs on memory. During this time drug studies have become less empirical and more based on a theoretical framework. This framework has evolved from studies on both animals and man. Drugs in turn have proved useful tools to contribute to knowledge about both the psychological struc· ture and biochemical substrates of memory. Recently this approach, together with knowledge of neuropsychological deficits and bio· chemical lesions in various memory disorders, has prompted rational attempts to improve disordered memory, using drugs. For clarity, the following account is divided into experimental and clinical sections. However, the reader will realize that there are strong links between them.
