This equation is used when X values are concentrations. Use a related equation when X values are logarithms of concentrations or doses.

Introduction

Many log(dose) vs. response curves follow the familiar symmetrical sigmoidal shape.

If you have good control data, it can make sense to normalize the response to run between 0% and 100%. This model assumes that the data have been normalized, so forces the curve to run from 0% to 100%. The goal is to determine the EC50 of the agonist - the concentration that provokes a response equal to 50%.

It only makes sense to fit a normalized model when you are sure you have defined 0% and 100% quite accurately. If your data define a complete sigmoidal curve, it is best to fit the entire curve and let Prism fit the Top and Bottom plateaus. If your data don't form a full sigmoidal curve, but you can define the bottom and top by solid control data, then fitting to a normalized model is preferable.

This model assumes that the dose response curve has a standard slope, equal to a Hill slope (or slope factor) of 1.0. This is the slope expected when a ligand binds to a receptor following the law of mass action, and is the slope expected of a dose-response curve when the second (and third...) messengers created by receptor stimulation binds to its receptor by the law of mass action. If you don't have many data points, consider using the standard slope model. If you have lots of data points, pick the variable slope model to determine the Hill slope from the data.

Step by step

Create an XY data table. Enter the concentrations of the agonist into X. Enter response into Y in any convenient units. Enter one data set into column A, and use columns B, C... for different treatments, if needed.

From the data table, click Analyze, choose nonlinear regression, choose the panel of equations "Dose-response curves - Stimulation" and then choose the equation "[Agonist] vs. normalized response".

Since the uncertainty of the EC50 is very asymmetric, be sure to choose to compute the confidence intervals using the likelihood ratio asymmetric method.

Double click on the X axis of the graph, and choose (at the upper left of the Format Graph dialog) to stretch the axis to a logarithmic scale.

Model

Y=100*X/(EC50+X)

 

Interpret the parameter

EC50 is the concentration of agonist that gives a response half way between Bottom and Top. This is not the same as the response at Y=50. Depending on which units Y is expressed in, and the values of Bottom and Top, the EC50 may give a response nowhere near "50". Prism reports both the EC50 and its log.