Abstract: New lactam-N-acetic acids and amides thereof having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 =H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, aryl or halogen-substituted aryl,R.sub.3 =OH or --NR.sub.4 R.sub.5,R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 =H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or, taken together with the N atom form alkyleneimino, oxa-alkyleneimino, aza-alkyleneimino or N-benzyl-aza-alkyleneimino,m is 3, 4 or 5, preferably 3,n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably 2;and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said acids. Processes for producing these compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same are also given. These compounds show amongst others beneficial activity on the mnemic processes and cardiac activity.

Abstract: New physiologically active N-substituted lactams having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 and R.sub.7, represent independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl group, R.sub.8 is a hydrogen atom or R.sub.8 and R.sub.3 together form the ethylene or trimethylene radical, and n is 3, 4 or 5, processes for the preparation thereof and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.