A clustering algorithm for multivariate longitudinal data

J Biopharm Stat. 2016;26(4):725-41. doi: 10.1080/10543406.2015.1052476. Epub 2015 May 26.

Abstract

Latent growth modeling approaches, such as growth mixture models, are used to identify meaningful groups or classes of individuals in a larger heterogeneous population. But when applied to multivariate repeated measures computational problems are likely, due to the high dimension of the joint distribution of the random effects in these mixed-effects models. This article proposes a cluster algorithm for multivariate repeated data, using pseudo-likelihood and ideas based on k-means clustering, to reveal homogenous subgroups. The algorithm was demonstrated on an electro-encephalogram dataset set quantifying the effect of psychoactive compounds on the brain activity in rats.

Keywords: Cluster analysis; EEG data; joint models; multivariate longitudinal data.

MeSH terms

  • Algorithms*
  • Animals
  • Cluster Analysis*
  • Models, Statistical
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Rats
  • Research Design*