Assoc Prof Ian McLennan and Aberdeen University researcher Dr Guy Bewick have found a hidden mechanism that regulates how brain cells talk to each other.
They discovered a protein known as transforming growth factor beta 2, regulates how motor neurones send signals to neighbouring cells - and they want to find ways to use it.
Prof McLennan said targeting the mechanism might lead to new therapies for the symptoms of motor neurone disease, which affects up to 250 New Zealanders at any one time.
Previous work on how the protein worked in brain stems showed it relieved the early symptoms of the disease in mice.
However, it was known to be highly toxic to people.
The "surprising" breakthrough, which was about five years in the making, "unlocked the door to how the protein worked".
It meant researchers could concentrate on using the signalling system to find non-toxic therapies, he said.
Prof McLennan cautioned any therapy that could come from the findings would fall short of a cure for motor neurone disease.
But it may be able to alleviate symptoms during the early stages of the condition.
Motor neurone disease is a catch-all description for three different disease types.
Their symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, tightness and wasting, twitching, slurred speech and inexplicable choking.
Sufferers usually die after a progressive weakening of their respiratory system, which usually happens over a couple of days.
It is most prevalent in people aged 40-70.
On average, sufferers live for between two and four years with the disease.
Prof McLennan and Dr Bewick's findings have been published in the United States journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study was supported by the Marsden Fund of New Zealand.
