A novel class of compounds of the general formula (I), their use in therapy, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, as well as their use in the manufacture of medicaments are described. The present compounds modulate the activity of 11.beta.-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11.beta.HSD1) and are accordingly useful in the treatment of diseases in which such a modulation is beneficial, e.g. the metabolic syndrome.