Abstract
In longitudinal and repeated measures data analysis, often the goal is to determine the effect of a treatment or aspect on a particular outcome (e.g. disease progression). We consider semiparametric repeated measures regression model, where the parametric component models effect of the variable of interest and any modification by other covariates. The expectation of this parametric component over the other covariates is a measure of variable importance. Here we present a targeted maximum likelihood estimator of the finite dimensional regression parameter, which is easily estimated using standard software for generalized estimating equations. The targeted maximum likelihood method provides double robust and locally efficient estimates of the variable importance parameters and inference based on the influence curve. We demonstrate these properties through simulation under correct and incorrect model specification, and apply our method in practice to estimating the activity of transcription factor (TF) over cell cycle in yeast. We specifically target the importance of SWI4, SWI6, MBP1, MCM1, ACE2, FKH2, NDD1, and SWI5.
The semiparametric model allows us to determine the importance of a TF at specific time points by specifying time indicators as potential effect modifiers of the TF. Our results are promising, showing significant importance trends during the expected time periods. This methodology can also be used as a variable importance analysis tool to assess the effect of a large number of variables such as gene expressions, or single nucleotide polymorphisms.
Disciplines
Biostatistics
Suggested Citation
Tuglus, Catherine and van der Laan, Mark J., "Targeted Maximum Likelihood Method for Repeated Measures Semiparametric Regression: Discovery for Transcription Factor Activity" (March 2010). U.C. Berkeley Division of Biostatistics Working Paper Series. Working Paper 261.
https://biostats.bepress.com/ucbbiostat/paper261