A Fuzzy Grey Cognitive Maps-based Decision Support System for radiotherapy treatment planning

Recently, Fuzzy Grey Cognitive Map (FGCM) has been proposed as a FCM extension. It is based on Grey System Theory, that it is focused on solving problems with high uncertainty, under discrete incomplete and small data sets. The FGCM nodes are variables, representing grey concepts. The relationships between nodes are represented by directed edges. An edge linking two nodes models the grey causal influence of the causal variable on the effect variable. Since FGCMs are hybrid methods mixing Grey Systems and Fuzzy Cognitive Maps, each cause is measured by its grey intensity. An improved construction process of FGCMs is presented in this study, proposing an intensity value to assign the vibration of the grey causal influence, thus to handle the trust of the causal influence on the effect variable initially prescribed by experts' suggestions. The explored methodology is implemented in a well-known medical decision making problem pertaining to the problem of radiotherapy treatment planning selection, where the FCMs have previously proved their usefulness in decision support. Through the examined medical problem, the FGCMs demonstrate their functioning and dynamic capabilities to approximate better human decision making. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.