Route:
Problems

P4 · Connectomics

Who are neuron X's strongest partners, and along what pathway?

VFB connectivity queries and neuPrint for weighted partners; trace a short pathway.

Key question: Who are neuron X’s strongest partners, and along what pathway?

Route A: Python API

Query connectivity with weighted partner lists.

from vfb_connect import vfb

# Get downstream partners
partners = vfb.get_neurons_downstream_of("VFB_jrchjtdb", top_n=10)
print(partners[['partner_id', 'partner_name', 'synapse_count', 'weight']])

# Filter for mushroom body neurons
mb_partners = partners[partners['region'].str.contains('mushroom body', case=False)]
print(f"Mushroom body partners: {len(mb_partners)}")

Route B: MCP Tool

Ask for connectivity with specific filters.

Example Prompt

For neuron VFB_jrchjtdb, list the top 10 downstream partners by synaptic weight, and tell me which are in the mushroom body.

Route C: VFB Chat

Chat can provide connectivity summaries.

Optimized prompt: Specify top N partners and ask for synaptic weights with IDs.

VFB Chat
Open in new tab

Tip: End your questions with "and give me the VFB IDs" to get identifiers you can use in Python.

Route D: 3D Circuit Browser

The Circuit Browser shows connectivity graphically with interactive exploration.
Open in Circuit Browser

When to Reach for Which Route

  • API for quantitative partner tables and multi-hop pathway analysis
  • MCP/Chat to orient and get quick summaries
  • 3D Browser for interactive connectivity exploration