Investigating predictive coding in younger and older children using MEG and a multi-feature auditory oddball paradigm

There is mounting evidence for predictive coding theory from computational, neuroimaging, and psychological research. However, there remains a lack of research exploring how predictive brain function develops across childhood. To address this gap, we used pediatric magnetoencephalography to record the evoked magnetic fields of 18 younger children (M = 4.1 years) and 19 older children (M = 6.2 years) as they listened to a 12-min auditory oddball paradigm. For each child, we computed a mismatch field “MMF”: an electrophysiological component that is widely interpreted as a neural signature of predictive coding. At the sensor level, the older children showed significantly larger MMF amplitudes relative to the younger children. At the source level, the older children showed a significantly larger MMF amplitude in the right inferior frontal gyrus relative to the younger children, P < 0.05. No differences were found in 2 other key regions (right primary auditory cortex and right superior temporal gyrus) thought to be involved in mismatch generation. These findings support the idea that predictive brain function develops during childhood, with increasing involvement of the frontal cortex in response to prediction errors. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the brain function underpinning child cognitive development.