Multicategory classification of 11 neuromuscular diseases based on microarray data using support vector machine

We applied multicategory machine learning methods to classify 11 neuromuscular disease groups and one control group based on microarray data. To develop multicategory classification models with optimal parameters and features, we performed a systematic evaluation of three machine learning algorithms and four feature selection methods using three-fold cross validation and a grid search. This study included 114 subjects of 11 neuromuscular diseases and 31 subjects of a control group using microarray data with 22,283 probe sets from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). We obtained an accuracy of 100%, relative classifier information (RCI) of 1.0, and a kappa index of 1.0 by applying the models of support vector machines one-versus-one (SVM-OVO), SVM one-versus-rest (OVR), and directed acyclic graph SVM (DAGSVM), using the ratio of genes between categories to within-category sums of squares (BW) feature selection method. Each of these three models selected only four features to categorize the 12 groups, resulting in a time-saving and cost-effective strategy for diagnosing neuromuscular diseases. In addition, a gene symbol, SPP1 was selected as the top-ranked gene by the BW method. We confirmed relationships between the gene (SPP1) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) from a previous study. With our models as clinically helpful tools, neuromuscular diseases could be classified quickly using a computer, thereby giving a time-saving, cost-effective, and accurate diagnosis.