In this review, we have examined the effects of neuroleptic medications on neurocognitive functions in articles published since 1990. Based on recent work and reviews of older studies, neuroleptics do not appear to have marked positive or negative effects on working memory or secondary memory. In contrast, neuroleptic medications appear to have a salutary effect on sustained vigilance or response readiness. The relationship or lack thereof between changes in cognition and changes in clinical state (produced by neuroleptics) is also discussed.