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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

Predictive coding accounts of autism suggest that autistic perception is characterised by divergent precision weighting. The precise nature of this divergence, however, is debated. Here, we sought to disentangle competing predictive coding accounts of autism by testing them at a neural level. To this end, we used paediatric magnetoencephalography to record the auditory evoked fields of 10 young autistic children (M = 6.2 years, range = 4.2– 8.6) and 63 neurotypical children (M = 6.1 years, range = 3.0– 9.8) as they listened to a roving auditory oddball paradigm. For each participant, we subtracted the evoked responses to the ‘standard’ from the ‘deviant’ pure tones to calculate the mismatch field ‘MMF’: an electrophysiological component that is widely interpreted as a neural signature of predictive coding. We found no significant differences between the two groups’ MMF amplitudes, p > .05. An exploratory analysis indicated larger MMF amplitudes in most of the autistic children compared to their average-age-matched neurotypical counterparts, p < .05. We interpret these findings as preliminary evidence in support of the ‘inflexibly high prior and sensory precision’ account, and against the ‘inflexibly low prior-relative-to-sensory precision’ accounts of autistic perception.HighlightsWe used paediatric MEG to compare autistic and neurotypical MMFs amplitudes.Exploratory case-cohort analyses revealed mostly larger MMFs in autistic cases.Larger MMFs support the notion of precise, inflexible prediction errors in autism.

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 paediatric magnetoencephalography (MEG) 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-minute 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. Consistent with our hypotheses, the older children showed significantly larger MMF amplitudes relative to the younger children. Furthermore, the older children showed a significantly larger MMF amplitude in the right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG; 0.312 to 0.33 s) relative to the younger children, p < .05. 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.HighlightsThis is the first paediatric MEG study to examine the sources underlying the MMF.Older children showed larger MMF amplitudes in the right inferior frontal gyrus.Results support the idea that predictive brain function develops during childhood.

Mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 that predispose to breast and ovarian cancer are detected in approximately 2.5% of the Ashkenazi Jewish population. To explore whether carriers of Ashkenazi founder mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have an increased risk for colorectal cancer, we screened 586 unselected Ashkenazi Jewish case patients with colorectal cancer for the three common founder mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. We identified six carriers (1.02%) among these case patients. After adjusting for age at diagnosis and sex by use of logistic regression analysis, we compared the incidence of carriers in this group of 586 case patients with that of 5012 Ashkenazi Jewish control subjects without a known history of colorectal cancer. The presence of a founder BRCA mutation was not associated with the risk of colorectal cancer (relative risk = 0.50, 95% confidence interval = 0.22 to 1.14). We thus recommend that counseling for colorectal cancer screening and prevention in individuals with BRCA mutations be based on the personal and family history of colorectal cancer or associated syndromic malignancies.

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess the value and educational experience of instituting a weekly full-day educational conference format for radiology residents. Methods Two independent diagnostic radiology residency programs in a single urban health care network instituted a new teaching model in which residents from both programs participated in a weekly joint conference day. This format replaced independently held, but frequently teleconferenced, 1-hour daily conferences at both programs. Residents' and faculty members' perceptions of the educational experience were assessed using anonymous online surveys. Written board examination scores and number of resident dictations were compared before and after the change. Results After 6 months, 30% and 53.3% of residents reported positive and neutral overall impressions, respectively. A survey return rate of 63.3% was achieved from 49 residents. Of 34 faculty members who responded, 50% reported increased preparation for conferences. The overall number of resident dictations modestly increased in the year after implementation of the format change, by 3.1%. There was no statistically significant change in the mean written board examination after the change in format compared with 3 years before the change. Conclusions Conference interruptions, cancellations, and tardiness were essentially eliminated with the new model. Individual conference quality was reported to have improved as the result of the more formal format and larger audience size. Residents maintained productivity and exposure to case volume despite the loss of a single clinical day. Although residents' perceptions of the new model were predominantly positive or neutral, downsides included fewer cases per resident in case conferences and a less intimate conference setting.