A compound represented by the formula: (wherein, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are
the same or different and each represents a hydrogen atom, hydrocarbon
group or heterocyclic group, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may form, together
with the adjacent carbon atom, a 3-8 membered iso- or heterocyclic group,
R.sup.3 represents a cyclic group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group that
may have oxo, or an amino group, R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, a
hydrocarbon group, a hydroxy group, a mercapto group which may have oxo,
or an amino group, or R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 may link together to form a
double bond, X represents a bond or a linear hydrocarbon group, W
represents an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, ring B represents a 5-8
membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic group, ring C represents a
benzene ring, and represents a single bond or a double bond), or a salt
or a prodrug thereof that has excellent neurodegenerative inhibitory
activity and brain penetrability, and is useful as an agent for
preventing/treating neurodegenerative diseases.