What are the limitations of artificial neural networks?
An Artifical Neural Network can create a model based only on the data with which it is developed. Therefore, patients with clinical variables that are outside the range of variables used to develop the model will not be able to use this application. For example, the upper limit of PSA level for the lymph node spread model is 84.2 ng/mL. This model would not be valid for a patient with a pre-treatment PSA that is higher than 84.2 ng/mL. Further, this model is designed to predict the risk of lymph node spread in men with clinically localized prostate cancer only (not for advanced disease or for men who have not been diagnosed with prostate cancer). Financial support ANNs in CaP is sponsored by the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), a non-profit research and development organization affiliated with the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Washington, DC. ICR derives its funding from disease focused charities (AHA, NKF, etc.), government entities (DOD, NIH, etc.), and donations fr
