Application of mnSOM on linking external exposure to internal load

Abstract

The internal load in humans caused by an external exposure is different in each person and mainly depends on metabolism. Using the recently proposed method of mnSOM we are able to describe the human metabolism using a functional module (linear or nonlinear) for each individual.mnSOM enables us to subdivide individuals into classes based on the functional description of each individuals metabolism. Furthermore the shown approach is able to show dependencies between external exposure and internal load in humans. In environmental epidemiology this will be used to establish links between external exposure and internal load patterns to gather clinical relevant information for practitioners. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.