The present invention relates generally to the field of ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR), activation of nAChRs, and the treatment of disease conditions associated with defective or malfunctioning nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, especially of the brain. Further, this invention relates to novel compounds for example, indoles, 1H-indazoles, 1,2-benzisoxazoles, and 1,2-benzisothiazoles, which act as ligands for the .alpha.7 nAChR subtype, methods of preparing such compounds, compositions containing such compounds, and methods of use thereof.