Scientists in Manchester revealed Wednesday they and their Chinese colleagues had found a new avenue to explore in the search for the causes of neurodegenerative diseases that are becoming big killers in the 21st century.

Disabling a part of brain cells that act as a tap to regulate the flow of proteins has been shown to cause neurodegeneration, a new study has found, the University of Manchester reported.

Lead researcher Professor Martin Lowe told Xinhua: "Our findings provide new insight into the mechanisms that cause death of nerve cells within the brain, and are relevant for our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases such as ataxia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease."

"This improved understanding may be exploited in the future to develop novel therapies for these devastating conditions," Lowe said.

He said that turning off the protein tap in the brain provided a new clue to neurodegenerative diseases.

The study was carried out by the University of Manchester and the Shilai Bao lab at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing.