A statistical method (cross-validation) for bone loss region detection after spaceflight

Australas Phys Eng Sci Med. 2010 Jun;33(2):163-9. doi: 10.1007/s13246-010-0024-6. Epub 2010 Jul 15.

Abstract

Astronauts experience bone loss after the long spaceflight missions. Identifying specific regions that undergo the greatest losses (e.g. the proximal femur) could reveal information about the processes of bone loss in disuse and disease. Methods for detecting such regions, however, remains an open problem. This paper focuses on statistical methods to detect such regions. We perform statistical parametric mapping to get t-maps of changes in images, and propose a new cross-validation method to select an optimum suprathreshold for forming clusters of pixels. Once these candidate clusters are formed, we use permutation testing of longitudinal labels to derive significant changes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Validation Study

MeSH terms

  • Astronauts
  • Biostatistics
  • Bone Density
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Models, Statistical
  • Osteoporosis / diagnosis*
  • Osteoporosis / etiology*
  • Space Flight*
  • Weightlessness / adverse effects