Searching for Biological Rhythms: Peak Detection in the Periodogram of Unequally Spaced Data

The classical power spectrum, computed in the frequency domain, outranks traditionally used periodograms derived in the time domain (such as the chi2 periodogram) regarding the search for biological rhythms. Unfortunately, classical power spectral analysis is not possible with unequally spaced data (e.g., time series with missing data). The Lomb-Scargle periodogram fixes this shortcoming. However, peak detection in the Lomb-Scargle periodogram of unequally spaced data requires some careful consideration. To guide researchers in the proper evaluation of detected peaks, therefore, a novel procedure and a computer program have recently become available. It is recommended that the Lomb-Scargle periodogram be the default method of periodogram analysis in future biomedical applications of rhythm investigation.