Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disease, associated with a decreased cognitive function and severe behavioral abnormalities. Due to its complex pathophysiological characteristics, complicated interactions with a large number of genes and proteins, there is still no effective drug treatment of the disease. Amyloid cascade aggregation of senile plaques and hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein to form neurofibrillary tangles are the main pathological features of Alzheimer's disease, other mechanisms, such as oxidative stress, lack of central cholinergic neurotransmitters, inflammatory reaction and toxic metal ions have also been involved. The purpose of this review is to briefly introduce the progress of the development of the therapeutic agents based on their main mechanisms of action.