PsN-Toolkit--a collection of computer intensive statistical methods for non-linear mixed effect modeling using NONMEM

Abstract

PsN-Toolkit is a collection of statistical tools for pharmacometric data analysis using the non-linear mixed effect modeling software NONMEM. The toolkit is object oriented and written in the programming language Perl using the programming library Perl-speaks-NONMEM (PsN). Five methods: the Bootstrap, the Jackknife, Log-likelihood Profiling, Case-deletion Diagnostics and Stepwise Covariate Model building are included as separate classes and may be used in user-written Perl scripts or through stand-alone command line applications. The tools are designed with the ability to cooperate and with an emphasis on common structures for workflow and result handling. Parallel execution of independent tool sections is supported on shared memory multiprocessor (SMP) computers, Mosix/openMosix clusters and distributed computing environments following the NorduGrid standard. In conclusion, PsN-Toolkit makes it easier to use the Bootstrap, the Jackknife, Log-likelihood Profiling, Case-deletion Diagnostics and Stepwise Covariate Model building in pharmacometric data analysis.