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Item Grey Matters, Issue 8, Fall 2024 (Front and Back Matter)(Temple University. Grey Matters, 2024-12-16)Item Addicted to the Rush: The Anatomy of Sensation Seeking(Temple University. Grey Matters, 2024-12-16)For most individuals, the idea of extreme sports, such as skydiving, free climbing, or paragliding, leave us shocked, fascinated, and with one simple question: Why do these dangerous activities excite people? Central to understanding this phenomenon is adrenaline, a key hormone in the nervous system. Adrenaline, or epinephrine, plays a critical role in the body’s “fight-or flight” response, triggering physiological changes such as increased heart rate and blood pressure. Adrenaline, synthesized and released by the adrenal medulla, acts as a hormone in the nervous system. This not only prepares an individual for immediate threats but also influences behaviors associated with thrill-seeking activities. Research on this hormone and the brain’s reward processes, has revealed its major effects on extreme sports participants and introduced the concept of “sensation seeking” [4]. Sensation seeking refers to the desire to achieve an optimal level of arousal by participating in intense and exhilarating activities [6]. American psychologist Dr. Marvin Zuckerman developed the Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS-V) to quantify this trait, assigning scores based on their desire for stimulation and openness to new experiences [7]. By using the SSS-V, researchers can determine the role of adrenaline in extreme sports participants, shedding light on adrenaline addiction and its impacts on the brain. By examining both the biological factors of adrenaline and personality factors through sensation seeking, researchers can assess the neurological basis behind the motivations of extreme sports participants, potential risks, and future studies [5].Item A Review of Stem Cells in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease(Temple University. Grey Matters, 2024-12-16)"The transition from being a wife and a love, to a mommy and a caregiver because Leonard developed Alzheimer’s - I lost my best friend, my love, my comrade, my business companion, I lost it all. That’s the most difficult part [sic],” says Jean [1]. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) currently affects 55 million people worldwide, including Jean and her husband, who must cope with the debilitating effects of the disease daily [2]. Each year, this unforgiving disease claims an additional 10 million diagnoses, demonstrating the growing and devastating impact [2]. AD is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and tau protein tangles in the brain [3]. These changes result in progressive memory loss, impaired thinking, and behavioral issues, which ultimately affect a person’s ability to perform daily activities [3]. Despite its prevalence, a cure for AD remains elusive. Current treatments may slow disease progression but cannot effectively reverse or prevent its onset. This limitation has sparked an international race among researchers to discover novel therapies that can cure AD instead of slowing progression. Among these, stem cell therapy has emerged as a therapeutic option with increasing promise. Stem cells have garnered significant attention in medical research due to their ability to differentiate into different cell types and regenerate damaged tissue [4]. They represent a novel approach to combating the underlying causes of AD. However, which types of stem cells hold the most promise, and what mechanisms make them useful? Exploring these mechanisms, their applications, and the challenges associated with their use reveals the transformative potential of stem cell therapy in the fight against AD.Item Indigenous Voices in Neuroscience: Transforming Research Practices(Temple University. Grey Matters, 2024-12-16)On September 16, 2024, the ALBA network and the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) hosted a webinar called Indigenous Voices in Neuroscience: Transforming Research Practices. The ALBA Network is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of underrepresented scientists and promoting professional opportunities. The IBRO, the global association of neuroscience societies, supports neuroscience through training, education, research, outreach, and engagement initiatives. The webinar focused on Indigenous neuroscience researchers’ challenges when integrating their knowledge into mainstream neuroscience. Panelists shared their insights and called to action for a more inclusive scientific community.Item Walking Dead or Alive? Life with Cotard's Syndrome(Temple University. Grey Matters, 2024-12-16)WHAT IF YOU BELIEVED YOUR ORGANS HAD DECAYED DESPITE MOV ING AND INTERACTING WITH THE WORLD? What if you felt you no longer existed or, paradoxically, were immortal? What if, defying all logic, you became convinced that your body was an empty shell? For individuals with Cotard’s syndrome, this unsettling experience is the reality of daily life. Cotard’s syndrome, also known as walking corpse syndrome, leads to a sense of detachment from one’s identity and a distorted perception of reality. Individuals with this condition also find connecting with the world and those around them challenging. Doctors diagnose Cotard’s syndrome based on two key features: a distorted self-view and the persistence of these distorted beliefs despite clear evidence to the contrary. With only around 200 documented cases worldwide, Cotard’s syndrome remains one of the rarest neuropsychiatric disorders ever recorded. Studying this disorder reveals how the brain perceives reality and what happens when that process is disrupted. Understanding Cotard’s syndrome helps to understand the intricate connection between the brain, identity, and reality perception.