The invention relates to novel pyrrolidine derivatives represented by formula (1): ##STR1## wherein: R1 represents (1) a lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or (2) a 3- to 15-membered mono- or fused cyclic hydrocarbon group which may contain a hetero atom on the ring, or which may be substituted with a substituent(s); each of n and m represents an integer and the sum of n and m is an integer of 0 to 2; each of X and E represents oxygen, NR' (wherein R' is hydrogen or a lower alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms), sulfur, phenylene, CH.dbd.CH or CH.sub.2 ; A represents an amino acid residue or an imino acid residue, which functional group may be optionally protected, or a glycine residue which may be substituted at the amino moiety thereof; and, Y1 represents a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms; or a salt thereof. The pyrrolidine derivatives inhibit a prolyl endopeptidase and are expected to be effective for the treatment of amnesia.