Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) have been strongly implicated as therapeutic targets for treating cognitive deficits in disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In particular α7 and α4β2 subtypeselective nAChR agonists and partial agonists have been developed as potential candidates for the treatment of schizophrenia, cognitive disorders (including Alzheimer's disease), and inflammation. Further development of positive allosteric modulators were also recently reported in the literature. In this review we will cover recent developments focused on the above mentioned nAChR subtypes, starting from the most advanced clinical candidate followed by an overview of literature compounds where potency, selectivity, central nervous system access, pharmacological activity and pharmacokinetic properties are disclosed.