I wanted to mention that Huperzine A is a non-prescription alternative to Aricept. I just started it yesterday. It has the same effect as Aricept; as mentioned on About.com, it is a "cholinesterase inhibitor, a type of medicine used to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (a chemical essential to learning and memory)."

I ordered Huperzine A on Amazon and I'm planning on taking it for a week or so and then every couple of days thereafter. **BE CAREFUL about cycling Huperzine A--if you take it too frequently, I have read (mostly hypothesis) that your body could adjust (I don't remember how...it might produce more cholinesterase or less acetylcholine). So most recommend spacing it out to maybe twice a week.**

Aricept is probably the better choice if you are already seeing a Neuro and have insurance to cover it, but this is another affordable option.