(Pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl)acetamides of general formula (I) <CHEM> wherein R is hydrogen or hydroxyl, R1 is hydrogen, R2 is selected from the group consisting of: 2-aminoethyl, 2-(N,N-diisopropyl) aminoethyl, 3-(pyrrolidin-2-one-1-yl) propyl, 2-[N-(pyrrolidin-2-one-d1-yl) acetyl] aminoethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, (glycerophosphorylethanolamino) carbonylmethyl, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxy-2-propyloxy-carbonylmethyl chloride, (prolinol-1-yl) carbonylmethyl, 1-trimethylammonium-3-carboxyisopropyl), and 3-pyridylcarbamide; or R1 and R2, taken together, are such as to form a cycle of formula <CHEM> wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of phenyl substituted with halogens or halogen-substituted lower (C1-C4) alkyls and 4-morpholinocarbonylmethyl are potent enhancers of learning and memory. Orally or parenterally administrable pharmaceutical compositions in unit dosage form comprise from about 100 to 500 mg of one of the compound of formula (I).
(Pyrrolidin-2-on-l-yl) acetamides as enhancers of learning and memory and pharmaceutical compositions comprising same.