The invention relates to the 5S,4R-enantiomer of 2-(5-methyl-2-oxo-4-phenyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetamide with cognition enhancing activity of high pharmacological value and to its preparation method which includes the synthesis of 5S-methyl-4R-phenylpyrrolidin-2-one, its N-alkylation with ethyl haloacetate and the treatment of intermediate ethyl 2-(5S-methyl-2-oxo-4R-phenyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-acetate with ammonia.