Predictive models in SMA II natural history trajectories using machine learning: A proof of concept study

PLoS One. 2022 May 5;17(5):e0267930. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267930. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

It is known from previous literature that type II Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) patients generally, after the age of 5 years, presents a steep deterioration until puberty followed by a relative stability, as most abilities have been lost. Although it is possible to identify points of slope indicating early improvement, steep decline and relative stabilizations, there is still a lot of variability within each age group and it's not always possible to predict individual trajectories of progression from age only. The aim of the study was to develop a predictive model based on machine learning using an XGBoost algorithm for regression and report, explore and quantify, in a single centre longitudinal natural history study, the influence of clinical variables on the 6/12-months Hammersmith Motor Functional Scale Expanded score prediction (HFMSE). This study represents the first approach to artificial intelligence and trained models for the prediction of individualized trajectories of HFMSE disease progression using individual characteristics of the patient. The application of this method to larger cohorts may allow to identify different classes of progression, a crucial information at the time of the new commercially available therapies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Machine Learning
  • Muscular Atrophy, Spinal* / diagnosis
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood*

Grants and funding

The study was funded by Roche Italia (https://www.roche.it/) in the form of a grant to EM. Roche Italia also provided support in the form of salary for VL. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.