title: Artificial neural network techniques to improve the ability of optical coherence tomography to detect optic neuritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the ability of Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) to detect multiple sclerosis (MS) and to distinguish MS eyes with antecedent optic neuritis (ON). To analyze the capability of artificial neural network (ANN) techniques to improve the diagnostic precision.
  
  
  METHODS
  MS patients and controls were enrolled (n = 217). OCT was used to determine the 768 retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses. Sensitivity and specificity were evaluated to test the ability of OCT to discriminate between MS and healthy eyes, and between MS with and without antecedent ON using ANN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using ANN technique multilayer perceptrons, OCT could detect MS with a sensitivity of 89.3%, a specificity of 87.6%, and a diagnostic precision of 88.5%. Compared with the OCT-provided parameters, the ANN had a better sensitivity-specificity balance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ANN technique improves the capability of Spectralis OCT to detect MS disease and to distinguish MS eyes with or without antecedent ON.
authors: Ophthalmology Department, Miguel Servet University Hospital , Zaragoza , Spain .
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Garcia-Martin
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Herrero
authors: Maria P
authors: MP
authors: Bambo
authors: Jose R
authors: JR
authors: Ara
authors: Jesus
authors: J
authors: Martin
authors: Vicente
authors: V
authors: Polo
authors: Jose M
authors: JM
authors: Larrosa
authors: Julian
authors: J
authors: Garcia-Feijoo
authors: Luis E
authors: LE
authors: Pablo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Multiple sclerosis; optic neuritis; optical coherence tomography; retinal nerve fiber layer; sensitivity