Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are selective agonists having a high affinity for the alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (?7 nAChR), assays for selectivity of nicotinic receptor subtype and ligand-gated ion channel subtype based on receptor occupation and response, behavioral assessments for reversing cognitive impairment after scopolamine treatment, enhancing memory retention over time, pharmaceutical compositions and formulations and devices comprising them, and methods for making and using them, including characterizing and efficiently assaying them for receptor subtype selectivity. In alternative embodiments, provided are substituted anti 1,2,3-triazoles compounds with high affinity, and selective binding, for the alpha7 nicotine acetylcholine receptor (?7 nAChR), as exemplified by 5-(1-(2-(Piperidin-1-yl)ethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-1H-indole (“IND1”), 5-((quinuclid-3-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-1H-indole (“IND8”) and 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl) quinuclidine (“QND8”).