This invention relates to new amide compounds having the potentiation of the cholinergic activity, etc., and represented by general formula [I]. wherein R<1 >is acyl, R<2 >is lower alkyl, etc., A is a single bond, or -SO2-, E is lower alkylene, etc, X is CH or N, Y is a single bond, etc., Q is -CH2-, etc., and R<3 >and R<4 >are taken together to form lower alkylene, etc., and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, to processes for preparation thereof and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the same.