What Neuroscience Topics Do I Need to Know for the MCAT

If you haven’t had the opportunity to take a course in neuroscience as an undergraduate, you may feel intimidated by the thought of the subject appearing on the MCAT. Neuroscience is one of the key areas tested in the Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior (Psych/Soc) section, and can appear in the Biochemical Foundations of Living System (B/B) section as well. As such, understanding some basic nervous system structure and function, as well as its role in behavior and cognition, is crucial for MCAT success.

To help you review, we’ve put together a free MCAT Neuroscience Anki Deck—a quick-hit collection of 20 high-yield cards covering the most testable neuro concepts. You can download it using the form above.

If you’re looking for more resources to help master this topic, the Kaplan MCAT Behavioral Sciences Review section is highly regarded for covering the essential neuroscience topics that appear on the MCAT. The Princeton Review Psychology/Sociology section focuses more on psychology rather than neuroscience, but can be a good resource for neuroscience concepts relevant to behavior and cognition. 

If you’re looking for videos to help guide your studying, the CrashCourse Psychology Playlist or the Khan Academy Review of Organ Systems are great resources as well! 

In this post, we’ll cover the essential neuroscience topics you need to know for the MCAT, categorized into three main areas: basic neuroanatomy, neural communication, and neuroscience as it relates to behavior and cognition. Let’s dive into each topic in detail.

1. Basic Neuroanatomy: Structures of the Brain and Nervous System

Understanding the organization and function of the brain and nervous system is a cornerstone of neuroscience. You’ll need to know the major structures of the central and peripheral nervous systems and their respective roles. 

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, responsible for processing and integrating information from the body. Specifically, key regions you should be familiar with include:

• Cerebral Cortex: The outer layer of the brain, responsible for higher-order functions such as reasoning, decision-making, perception, and voluntary movement. Each hemisphere is divided into lobes:
  • Frontal lobe: Executive function, problem-solving, and motor control.
  • Parietal lobe: Processing sensory input (touch, temperature).
  • Occipital lobe: Vision.
  • Temporal lobe: Hearing, memory, and language.
• Basal Ganglia: Involved in motor control and learning, as well as voluntary movement coordination. Impairments here are linked to conditions like Parkinson’s and Huntington’s diseases.
• Cerebellum: Plays a role in motor coordination, balance, and fine-tuning movements. It’s also involved in certain cognitive processes.
• Brainstem: Includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. It controls basic life functions like heart rate, breathing, and consciousness.
• Thalamus: Acts as a relay station for sensory information before it reaches the cortex.
• Hypothalamus: Critical for maintaining homeostasis by regulating hunger, thirst, sleep, temperature, and endocrine functions (in collaboration with the pituitary gland).

Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

The PNS consists of nerves and ganglia outside the brain and spinal cord, divided into:

• Somatic Nervous System: Controls voluntary movements via skeletal muscles.
• Autonomic Nervous System (ANS): Manages involuntary functions (e.g., heart rate, digestion). The ANS has two branches:
  • Sympathetic Nervous System: Activates the body’s “fight or flight” response during stressful situations.
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System: Promotes the “rest and digest” functions, conserving energy.

2. Neural Communication: How Neurons Transmit Signals

At the heart of neuroscience, and an important point for the MCAT, is an understanding of how neurons communicate. This involves both electrical and chemical signaling, which is essential for the body’s response to stimuli and regulation of various processes.

Structure of a Neuron

Neurons are the fundamental units of the nervous system. Key parts include the following:

• Soma (Cell Body): Contains the nucleus and organelles.
• Dendrites: Receive incoming signals from other neurons.
• Axon: Transmits electrical impulses away from the cell body.
• Myelin Sheath: A fatty layer that insulates the axon, speeding up signal transmission. The sheath is formed by Schwann cells in the PNS and oligodendrocytes in the CNS.
• Nodes of Ranvier: Gaps in the myelin sheath where action potentials are regenerated.

Action Potentials and Synaptic Transmission

Understanding how neurons send signals is crucial. You’ll need to grasp the following concepts:

• Resting Membrane Potential: The voltage difference across the neuron’s membrane when it’s not firing (-70mV).
• Action Potential: A rapid, all-or-none electrical impulse that travels down the axon when the neuron is depolarized beyond a threshold (-55mV). Key ions involved include sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+).
• Synaptic Transmission: When the action potential reaches the axon terminal, neurotransmitters are released into the synapse and bind to receptors on the next neuron. This can either excite or inhibit the postsynaptic neuron, depending on the neurotransmitter and receptor involved.

Key Neurotransmitters

You’ll need to know the major neurotransmitters and their roles in behavior and bodily functions. It pays dividends to know the structure of each of these molecules as well! 

• Acetylcholine (ACh): Involved in muscle contraction, memory, and learning. Deficiencies are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Dopamine: Regulates movement, reward, and pleasure. Abnormal levels are associated with Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia.
• Serotonin: Affects mood, appetite, and sleep. It’s implicated in mood disorders like depression.
• Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA): The primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, which reduces neuronal excitability.
• Glutamate: The main excitatory neurotransmitter, involved in learning and memory.

Free Resource: MCAT Neuroscience Anki Deck

Want to review the most high-yield neuroscience content for the MCAT in a fast, active way?

We’ve created a free, 20-card MCAT Neuroscience Anki deck to help you solidify core concepts like brain anatomy, neurotransmitter function, and key neural pathways. Perfect for testing your recall as you prep for the Psych/Soc and B/B sections.

Download the deck below by entering your email and expected graduation date—no spam, just high-yield support from the MCAT experts.

Choose Your Step 2 CK Resources

A commonly made mistake is using Step 2 study time to get through all of the resources available. This can be overwhelming and keep you from using your limited study time to understand concepts since you will be more focused on finishing each resource. You should only use 2-3 high-yield resources to study for USMLE Step 2 CK. Your main resource should be a question bank, like UWorld. Your other resource should provide you with topic review. You can use OnlineMedEd, Boards & Beyond, or AMBOSS. 

3. Neuroscience and Behavior: Linking Brain Function to Cognitive Processes

MCAT neuroscience questions will test your knowledge of how brain structures and neurochemical processes influence behavior, cognition, and emotion. Here are key topics to focus on:

Limbic System and Emotions

The limbic system is a network of structures involved in emotion, memory, and motivation. Key components include the following:

• Amygdala: Involved in emotion processing, particularly fear and aggression.
• Hippocampus: Critical for forming long-term memories and spatial navigation.

Motivation, Emotion, and Reward Pathways

• Motivation: The drive to perform certain behaviors can be influenced by brain regions like the hypothalamus (for physiological drives) and the prefrontal cortex (for decision-making).
• Emotion: Emotional processing is mediated by the limbic system, especially the amygdala. You should also understand theories of emotion, such as:
  • James-Lange Theory: Emotion is the result of physiological responses to stimuli.
  • Cannon-Bard Theory: Emotions and physiological responses occur simultaneously.
  • Schachter-Singer Theory: Emotion is based on both physiological arousal and cognitive labeling.
• Reward Pathways: The mesolimbic pathway, especially the nucleus accumbens, is key to understanding reward and addiction. Dopamine plays a crucial role in the brain’s reward system.

Learning and Memory

You’ll need a solid understanding of the brain regions involved in learning and memory:

• Types of Memory: Know the difference between short-term memory, working memory, and long-term memory (explicit vs. implicit).
• Brain Regions: The hippocampus is central to memory formation, while the prefrontal cortex is important for working memory.

4. Disorders of the Nervous System

The MCAT also tests your knowledge of neurological and psychiatric disorders. We recommend covering the following commonly tested conditions:

• Parkinson’s Disease: A neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, leading to motor control issues.
• Alzheimer’s Disease: Associated with memory loss and cognitive decline, often linked to the build-up of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain.
• Schizophrenia: Characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought. Dopamine dysregulation is a key factor.
• Depression and Anxiety: These psychiatric disorders are influenced by neurotransmitter imbalances, particularly serotonin and norepinephrine.

Getting the Help You Need for the MCAT

The neuroscience topics on the MCAT are broad, covering everything from basic neuroanatomy to the neural underpinnings of behavior and cognition. By understanding the structure and function of the nervous system, as well as how neurons communicate, and how these processes relate to behavior, you’ll be well-prepared for the exam. If you’re looking for more personalized guidance, consider purchasing an MCAT tutoring trial session or scheduling a complimentary consultation to learn more about our services. We’re here to help you master neuroscience and every other section of the MCAT, setting you up for success!