We tested spatial memory performance in 6 months old Vgat-WT and Vgat-AD mice during NPR test, similar to the paradigm in Fig. 2C. Consistent with recent studies [55], 6 months old Vgat-AD mice exhibited decreased discrimination ratio when compared to Vgat-WT controls, indicating spatial memory deficits in early-stage AD (Additional file 1: Fig. S2A–C). The gene discussed is SLC32A1; the disease is Alzheimer disease.