Olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs) were recorded monopolarly at the
Fz, Ct, and Pt electrode sites in 16 young adults and 16 older adults to a
ssess aging effects on the olfactory P3. Amyl acetate was used to elicit th
e OERPs, with an intertrial interval of 45 s. Young adults produced signifi
cantly 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 ne
rvous system.