Background: The study was conducted to elucidate the extraction conditions under which white ginseng has cognition-improving efficacy.Methods and Results: Extracts from white ginseng under different solvent and temperature conditions were analyzed for ginsenoside content and inhibitory effect on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and acetylcholinesterase. The total ginsenoside contents and amounts of ginsenoside Rb1 plus ginsenoside Rg1 from the 1st extracts (prepared with EtOH/H2O as solvent) were higher than those from the 2nd extracts (extracted with H2O after the 1st EtOH/H2O extraction). The contents in the 1st and 2nd extracts produced at 80°C were also higher than those obtained at 50°C. Samples from the 1st extraction at 80°C indicated higher inhibitory activities on NMDA receptors-whose excessive activation is thought to mediate the calcium-dependent neurotoxicity associated with several neurodegenerative diseases-than those from the 2nd extraction. Among the samples prepared at varying temperatures, the extract prepared at 50°C showed the highest suppression activity on NMDA receptors. Note, however, that the extracts from the 2nd extraction at 50°C inhibited acetylcholinesterase-whose inhibition could be a therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative diseases with cognitive deficits and memory malfunction-more effectively than those from the 1st extraction.Conclusions: To enhance the cognition-improving activity of white ginseng extract, it is suggested that the extracts be utilized after being combined the 1st extracts (made with EtOH/H2O solvent) and the 2nd extracts (prepared with H2O) at low temperature.