Olfactory p3 in young and older adults

Academic Article
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publication date

  • May 1999

abstract

  • Olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs) were recorded monopolarly at the Fz, Cz, and Pz electrode sites in 16 young adults and 16 older adults to assess aging effects on the olfactory P3. Amyl acetate was used to elicit the OERPs, with an intertrial interval of 45 s. Young adults produced significantly larger P3 amplitudes and shorter P3 peak latencies than older adults. The olfactory P3 response appears to be sensitive to age-related changes in the olfactory system and may reflect cognitive slowing in the central nervous system.