INVESTIGATION OF EFFECT OF DATA ERROR IN ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL TRACER DATA FROM 3-COMPARTMENT SYSTEMS

Data obtained from tracer studies often consist of serial measurements after administration of radioisotope. Very little work has been published on how the error in the data affects the mathematical analysis. Computer simulation was here employed to produce data with error of different magnitude and form for each of several values of rate constant and amplitude. The data were terminated when the value of the last point was one per cent of the value of the first point, and in other ways arranged in an attempt to simulate experimental situations. The sets of simulated data for a three compartment system were analysed by non-linear least squares. The error in derived parameters was defined by these numerical experiments in terms of the magnitude of error in data, statistical distribution of error in data, the number and spacing of the data points, and the ratios of the rate constants and amplitudes. The results can be used to help decide what experimental accuracy is needed for a given accuracy of model parameters for a variety of biological problems. © 1969.