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.