This invention is related to new histone deacetylase inhibitors according to the general formula (I) wherein: the dotted line is an optional additional bond; n is zero or an integer from 1 to 4; R 1 is hydrogen; C 1 -C 6 alkyl, optionally substituted by aryl or by heteroaryl; (CO) R 3 ; (SO 2 ) R 4 ; aryl; or heteroaryl; R 2 is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, optionally substituted by aryl or by heteroaryl; aryl; heteroaryl; or (CO) R 5 ; X is CH 2 , oxygen or N R 6 ; Y is a bond, CH R 7 or N R 8 ; Z is oxygen, C R 9 R 10 or C= R 11 ; and R 3 , R 4 , R 5 , R 6 , R 3 R 8 , R 9 , R 10 and R 11 are as further defined in the specification; and pharmaceutical acceptable salts thereof.