Abstract: Preparation of compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 1, 2 or 3, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be the same or different, are hydrogen or alkyl containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms and the asterisk indicates the center of asymmetry of the molecule, and compounds of the formula ##STR2## wherein R" is a saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 is hydrogen or acyl containing 1 to 7 carbon atoms and the asterisk indicates the center of asymmetry of the molecule. The compounds produced by the present invention improve learning memory and display a protecting effect against the E.E.G. consequence of an overdose of barbiturates and against the reduced performance following brain damage (e.g. cerebral edema).

Abstract: Pyrrolidin-2-one derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R represents hydrogen, an acyl radical containing from 2 to 7 carbon atoms, a saturated or unsaturated alkyl, containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aralkyl, cycloalkyl or aromatic, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 may be the same or different and represent hydrogen, a saturated or unsaturated alkyl radical, containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl radical or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, together with the adjacent nitrogen atom, may form an heterocyclic ring optionally containing an additional heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen and nitrogen, n represents an integer from 0 to 2 inclusive, and the process for their preparation are described.