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Updated: Aug 28, 2025
10:42
A Free-breathing fMRI Method to Study Human Olfactory Function
Published on: July 30, 2017
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Reduced Olfactory Memory Performance Is Associated with Executive Function Deficits in Older Adults.
Carina Schlintl1, Anne Schienle1
1Clinical Psychology, University of Graz, BioTechMed, Graz, Austria.
Experimental Aging Research
|September 13, 2022
Summary
Older adults show poorer olfactory memory, linked to reduced odor identification and executive functions like cognitive flexibility. This suggests olfactory memory decline may signal broader cognitive impairment in aging.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Olfactory impairment is linked to cognitive decline in older adults.
- The relationship between olfactory memory and cognitive/affective functioning requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between olfactory memory performance and cognitive/affective functioning in older adults.
- To compare olfactory memory between younger and older adults.
Main Methods:
- A matching task assessed recognition performance for olfactory and visual stimuli.
- Validated questionnaires and a neuropsychological test battery measured negative affect and cognitive functioning.
- Participants included older adults (n=44, mean age=76) and younger adults (n=56, mean age=24).
Main Results:
- Older adults performed significantly worse than younger adults on the olfactory memory task.
- In older adults, impaired olfactory memory correlated with reduced odor identification and executive functioning (cognitive flexibility).
- Olfactory memory performance was not associated with affective well-being.
Conclusions:
- Olfactory memory impairment in older adults may serve as an early indicator of cognitive decline, particularly in executive functions.
- These findings highlight the importance of assessing olfactory memory in the context of cognitive aging.
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