title: Adiposity measures predict olfactory processing speed in older adult carriers of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The current study investigated the relationship between adiposity and P3 latency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-one adults in two age groups (18-25 and 65+) participated. Odor stimuli were delivered via olfactometer as participants focused on a computer screen. Each stimulus was followed by presentation on the screen of four odor identification choices. Participants attempted identification by button press. Olfactory event-related potentials (OERPs) were recorded. BMI and waist circumference were measured as indicators of adiposity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In bivariate analyses with all participants included, positive correlations for P3 latency with both BMI and waist circumference were observed, indicating that as adiposity increased latencies also increased. When each age group was separately examined, correlations between adiposity measures and latency remained statistically significant for older adults. Furthermore, ApoE ε4 allele status was examined. Latencies remained positively correlated with adiposity in older adult ε4 carriers; but not in non-carriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates that adiposity predicts olfactory processing speed in older adults, specifically in ε4 carriers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that olfactory processing speed may be a useful measure for detecting and following the effects of adiposity on brain integrity and cognitive function in those at genetic risk for AD.
authors: San Diego State University, Department of Psychology, USA.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Zamora
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Bartholow
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Green
authors: C D
authors: CD
authors: Morgan
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Murphy
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity / Q000235:genetics*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4 / Q000235:genetics*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004569:Electroencephalography; D018913:Event-Related Potentials, P300 / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009812:Odorants; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000235:genetics; D012903:Smell / Q000235:genetics*; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000235:genetics; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D053327:Apolipoprotein E4