TY - JOUR
T1 - What can artificial neural networks teach us about neurodegenerative disorders with extrapyramidal features?
AU - Litvan, I.
AU - DeLeo, J. M.
AU - Hauw, J. J.
AU - Daniel, S. E.
AU - Jellinger, K.
AU - McKee, A.
AU - Dickson, D.
AU - Horoupian, D. S.
AU - Lantos, P. L.
AU - Tabaton, M.
N1 - Funding Information:
S.E.D. received support from a grant from the Parkinson's Disease Society of the United Kingdom, and P.L.L. was supported by the Medical Research Council.
PY - 1996/6
Y1 - 1996/6
N2 - Artificial neural networks (ANNs), computer paradigms that can learn, excel in pattern recognition tasks such as disease diagnosis. Artificial neural networks operate in two different learning modes: supervised in which a known diagnostic outcome is presented to the ANN, and unsupervised, in which the diagnostic outcome is not presented. A supervised learning ANN could emulate human expert diagnostic performance and identify relevant predictive markers in the diagnostic task, while an unsupervised learning ANN could suggest reasonable alternative diagnostic classification criteria. In the present study, we used ANN methodology to try to overcome the neuropathological difficulties in differentiating the subtypes of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and in differentiating PSP from postencephalitic parkinsonism (PEP) and corticobasal degeneration, or Pick's disease from corticobasal degeneration. First, we applied supervised learning ANN to classify 62 cases of these disorders and to identify diagnostic markers that distinguish them. In a second experiment, we used unsupervised learning ANN to investigate possible alternative nosological classifications. Artificial neural networks input data for each case consisted of values representing histological features, including neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss and gliosis found in multiple brain sampling areas. The supervised learning ANN achieved excellent accuracy in classifying PSP but had difficulty classifying the other disorders. This method identified a few features that might help to differentiate PEP, supported currently proposed criteria for Pick's disease, corticobasal degeneration and typical PSP, but detected no features to characterize the atypical subtype of PSP. In general, unsupervised learning ANN supported the present nosological classification for PSP PEP, Pick's disease and corticobasal degeneration, although it overlapped some groups. Artificial neural networks methodology appears promising for studying neurodegenerative disorders.
AB - Artificial neural networks (ANNs), computer paradigms that can learn, excel in pattern recognition tasks such as disease diagnosis. Artificial neural networks operate in two different learning modes: supervised in which a known diagnostic outcome is presented to the ANN, and unsupervised, in which the diagnostic outcome is not presented. A supervised learning ANN could emulate human expert diagnostic performance and identify relevant predictive markers in the diagnostic task, while an unsupervised learning ANN could suggest reasonable alternative diagnostic classification criteria. In the present study, we used ANN methodology to try to overcome the neuropathological difficulties in differentiating the subtypes of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and in differentiating PSP from postencephalitic parkinsonism (PEP) and corticobasal degeneration, or Pick's disease from corticobasal degeneration. First, we applied supervised learning ANN to classify 62 cases of these disorders and to identify diagnostic markers that distinguish them. In a second experiment, we used unsupervised learning ANN to investigate possible alternative nosological classifications. Artificial neural networks input data for each case consisted of values representing histological features, including neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss and gliosis found in multiple brain sampling areas. The supervised learning ANN achieved excellent accuracy in classifying PSP but had difficulty classifying the other disorders. This method identified a few features that might help to differentiate PEP, supported currently proposed criteria for Pick's disease, corticobasal degeneration and typical PSP, but detected no features to characterize the atypical subtype of PSP. In general, unsupervised learning ANN supported the present nosological classification for PSP PEP, Pick's disease and corticobasal degeneration, although it overlapped some groups. Artificial neural networks methodology appears promising for studying neurodegenerative disorders.
KW - Artificial neural networks
KW - Dystal
KW - Neurodegenerative disorders
KW - Neuropathology
KW - Progressive supranuclear palsy
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U2 - 10.1093/brain/119.3.831
DO - 10.1093/brain/119.3.831
M3 - Article
C2 - 8673495
AN - SCOPUS:8944263311
SN - 0006-8950
VL - 119
SP - 831
EP - 839
JO - Brain
JF - Brain
IS - 3
ER -