Route:
Problems

P5 · Similarity / NBLAST

What's the morphological match in another dataset?

NBLAST via VFB / navis; rank matches with scores across datasets.

Key question: What’s the morphological match to this neuron in another dataset?

Route A: Python API

Run NBLAST queries via VFB or navis to find morphological matches.

from vfb_connect import vfb

# NBLAST search
matches = vfb.get_similar_neurons("VFB_jrchjtdb", similarity_score='NBLAST_score')
print(matches[['match_id', 'match_name', 'dataset', 'NBLAST_score']].head(10))

Route B: MCP Tool

Request NBLAST results through the MCP tool.

Example Prompt

Run an NBLAST query for neuron VFB_jrchjtdb and return the top matches with scores across datasets; note which come from BANC or male-CNS.

Route C: VFB Chat

Chat can help you find similar neurons.

Optimized prompt: Ask for top matches with scores and dataset names.

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 includes NBLAST search functionality.
Open in Circuit Browser

When to Reach for Which Route

  • API when scores and thresholds matter for your analysis
  • MCP/Chat for a fast shortlist of candidates
  • 3D Browser for interactive similarity exploration