Agent based modeling of atherosclerosis: A concrete help in personalized treatments

Francesco Pappalardo, Alessandro Cincotti, Alfredo Motta, Marzio Pennisi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Atherosclerosis, a pathology affecting arterial blood vessels, is one of most common diseases of the developed countries. We present studies on the increased atherosclerosis risk using an agent based model of atherogenesis that has been previously validated using clinical data. It is well known that the major risk in atherosclerosis is the persistent high level of low density lipoprotein (LDL) concentration. However, it is not known if short period of high LDL concentration can cause irreversible damage and if reduction of the LDL concentration (either by life style or drug) can drastically or partially reduce the already acquired risk. We simulated four different clinical situations in a large set of virtual patients (200 per clinical scenario). In the first one the patients lifestyle maintains the concentration of LDL in a no risk range. This is the control case simulation. The second case is represented by patients having high level of LDL with a delay to apply appropriate treatments; The third scenario is characterized by patients with high LDL levels treated with specific drugs like statins. Finally we simulated patients that are characterized by several oxidative events (smoke, sedentary life style, assumption of alcoholic drinks and so on so forth) that effective increase the risk of LDL oxidation. Those preliminary results obviously need to be clinically investigated. It is clear, however, that SimAthero has the power to concretely help medical doctors and clinicians in choosing personalized treatments for the prevention of the atherosclerosis damages.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEmerging Intelligent Computing Technology and Applications
Subtitle of host publicationWith Aspects of Artificial Intelligence - 5th International Conference on Intelligent Computing, ICIC 2009, Proceedings
Pages386-396
Number of pages11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes
Event5th International Conference on Intelligent Computing, ICIC 2009 - Ulsan, Korea, Republic of
Duration: 16 Sept 200919 Sept 2009

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume5755 LNAI
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference5th International Conference on Intelligent Computing, ICIC 2009
Country/TerritoryKorea, Republic of
CityUlsan
Period16/09/0919/09/09

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