Abstract: The invention relates to new benzenesulfonyl-lactams, process for their preparation and their use as active substance in pharmaceutical compositions.Compounds according to the invention correspond to the general formula (I): ##STR1## in which: X can represent hydrogen,Y can represent the CF.sub.3 group,Z can represent chlorine,W can represent hydrogen,n is 1, 2 or 3,R.sub.1 can represent hydrogen,R.sub.2 can represent the OH group, provided that when n is 2 or 3, X or Z represents an alkoxy group from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or that Y represents the CF.sub.3 or NO.sub.2 group, and when n is 1, Y or W represents the CF.sub.3 group.These new compounds may be introduced as active substances, particularly in the treatment of disorders of the memory.