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The P3 event-related brain potential (ERP) reflects neuroelectric activity related to the speed of cognitive processing and allocation of attentional resources. The objective of the present study was to assess the relationship between the P3 and Slow Wave components of the olfactory event-related potential (OERP) with neuropsychological performance in young (n = 16) and elderly (n = 16) adults. OERPs were recorded monopolarly from midline electrode sites while subjects estimated the odor magnitude of each stimulus, eliciting highly reproducible P3s. Results showed that the late cognitive components (P3 amplitude, P3 latency and Slow Wave area) decline with age and that this decreased neuronal efficiency is associated with reductions in the neuropsychological performance indexed by the Trail Making Test and the California Verbal Learning Test.

The impact of lexical functioning and detection sensitivity on the deficit of odor identification in Alzheimer's disease (AD) was studied in persons diagnosed with probable and questionable AD. Tests consisted of lexical-based odor identification, lexical-based picture identification, picture-based odor identification, and odor-detection threshold. Results suggest (1) that odor identification is poorer than picture identification in probable and questionable AD, (2) that odor identification continues to be poor even when lexical demands are eliminated, (3) that odor detection does contribute to the odor-identification deficit, but does not account for it completely, and (4) that odor identification tests have a correct classification rate of 83-100%. Odor identification tests can be very useful tools in diagnosing AD and should be considered an important addition to existing diagnostic test batteries.

The sexual experiences and attitudes of eating disorder patients are receiving increased professional attention. However, empirical work in this area has generally focused on these patients at the point of initial evaluation. In the current study we report the results of a follow-up questionnaire completed by women who had been treated in our clinic (N = 42) for either anorexia nervosa (restricting type) or bulimia nervosa (purging type). We found that former anorectic patients were less likely to return the questionnaire and, of those who did, there was a trend toward anorectic women's being less likely to be in a romantic/erotic relationship. Almost all of the women had engaged in sexual intercourse, and former anorectic patients did not differ from bulimics with regard to age at first coitus. Anorectics were less likely than bulimics to have engaged in masturbation and also scored lower on a measure of sexual esteem. Although there were no differences between the two groups with regard to current level of sexual functioning, erotophobia/erotophilia, or sexual satisfaction, the women in our sample exhibited less sexual interest and more negative affect during sex than did a normative sample. Also, nearly 40% of our sample indicated clinically significant levels of sexual discord with their current partner. Results are discussed with regard to prior research, interventions, and further study.