An arylalkanoylamine derivative represented by general formula (I), excellent in a prolyl endopeptidase inhibitory action and resistances to hypoxia and amnesia; and a drug for improving mneme, cerebral circulation and cerebral metabolism, containing the same as the active ingredient, wherein A represents indanyl, indenyl, 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenyl or benzofuranyl; m is an integer of 0 to 5; Z represents hydroxymethyl, formyl, nitrile, hydroxyiminomethyl, semicarbazonomethyl or dialkoxymethyl and X and Y may be the same or different from each other and each represents methylene or sulfur, provided that the case where A represents indanyl, indenyl or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalenyl, X and Y represent both methylene, and Z represents hydroxymethyl or formyl is excluded.