Using laminar fMRI and modeling to study auditory predictive processing

We use ultra-high field fMRI to explore the differential role of cortical layers in the information flow between top-down predictions and bottom up sensory evidence in a predictive coding (PC) framework. As the measured BOLD signal is affected by vascular draining, we use a computational model that combines neuronal dynamics with laminar vascular physiology to help us understand prediction signals at cortical depths and underlying neuronal responses. We show that a violation in prediction caused response modulation in superficial and deep layers in the primary auditory cortex, which is in line with the PC framework.