The minimal model of glucose disappearance: Optimal input studies (Q1820708)

The ''minimal model'' of glucose disappearance povides noninvasive estimates of important metabolic parameters, among them the effect of insulin on glucose uptake. We study here the design of optimal inputs for the identification of the model, i.e., for estimating its parameters with maximum precision. The scalar case is examined first and solved via Pontryagin's maximum principle for two input classes: equienergy and equidose. For equidose class the vector case is then studied by simulation for clinically realizable glucose inputs in both the normal and the diabetic case. Finally, recent experimental developments proposed for the identification of the model, i.e., a glucose input involving a concomitant drug stimulus and a tracer labeled glucose input, are examined in the context of optimal input design.