Zero and first moment area estimation from microdialysis data.

The calculation of classical pharmacokinetic parameters from microdialysis data has been described in a previous paper. In this paper I have derived methods for calculating AUMC and AUC from the time-integral type of data that are generated in microdialysis pharmacokinetics experiments. The method derived to estimate AUC is elementary, but is given a theoretical basis using principles of mathematical real analysis, clearly stating ths assumptions. The method derived to estimate AUMC is a numerical approximation method based on the linear trapezoidal method. A simulation study was performed to evaluate the precision of the methods and to compare them with corresponding methods for analysis of blood sample data. The estimates from the presently derived methods have a small bias and a small variance. In the simulation study I investigated the influence of model parameters, number of samples, size of statistical error, and the size of the AUC beyond the last sample. Finally, I have given numerical examples from real data to illustrate the use of the method.