The exploration of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic data using interactive three-dimensional graphs, a tool borrowed from particle physics.

Computerized interactive 3-dimensional graphical displays were originally developed to aid in the exploration of multidimensional data from particle physics experiments. This technique can be equally well applied to speed the analysis of multivariate pharmaco-kinetic and pharmacodynamic data. The application of this technique to the results of a drug study demonstrated its effectiveness in providing a rapid overview of the data and in displaying new perspectives on the multivariate data, helping to identify sources of variability within the study. Multiple concentration-time curves from a given administration period can be distinguished within a single plot, using visual cues provided by rotating the display. Simultaneous comparison of large numbers of curves allows rapid evaluation of intersubject variability. Comparing the concentration-time curves from a single subject, each in succession, quickly identifies sources of intra-subject variability. Manipulating the display by a fourth dimensional parameter shows the degree of relationship between the concentration-time curves and associated dynamic variables. Exploratory analysis using such kinematic display software, provides a rapid, visually concrete impression of the relationships present in kinetic and dynamic data before the application of standard statistical routines.