Neural Circuit Function Inference with LLMs

The success of connectome mapping now shifts the challenge of understanding the nervous system to the interpretation of neural circuits. Here, we devise a new automated method, LLantia (LLM automated neural circuit inference and analysis), to systematically infer neural circuit function and the role of its component neural cell types. Our approach distills descriptions of cell type function from the literature and, in combination with the connectome, then infers the function for all other cell types, which serves as a basis for subsequent neural circuit function inference. Results are structured hierarchically, with different possible circuit functions organised under multiple possible behavioural and physiological contexts, and each circuit function composed of subcircuit descriptions alongside relevant cell types to facilitate both backtracking to known, published information and support further experimental research. We illustrate our method by inferring cell type function for all cell types of the adult fruit fly brain and for select broader circuits within, and validate our findings, including by cross-checking with literature published after the release date of our analysis.