Abstract: This invention relates to a method for improving memory and accompanying symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders of memory. The method includes the steps of dosing a patient with 2,2-dichlorovinyl dimethyl phosphate sometimes referred to as dichlorvos or DDVP, or a precursor thereof maintaining said dosage at a level and over a period of time sufficient to create a concentration of DDVP in the brain whereby memory improvement occurs. A satisfactory precursor for this method is 2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl dimethyl phosphate sometimes referred to as metrifonate and 1,2-dibromo, 2-dichlorvoethyl dimethyl phosphate sometimes referred to as naled. Other precursors are also useful.