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A diet high in polyunsaturated fat and vitamin E may halve the risk of developing motor neurone disease (MND), a Dutch study has revealed.

Polyunsaturated fats include omega 3 found in oily fish and green leafy vegetables and omega 6, found in certain vegetable oils.

MND is thought to be caused by genetic and environmental factors, and diet has been previously implicated in its development.

Researchers from Utrecht's University Medical Center analysed 132 patients with potential or definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), one of the disabling conditions known as MND.

The patients completed a questionnaire, detailing their regular dietary intake before they became ill, of polyunsaturated fats, vitamin E, and a range of other nutrients.

The results were compared with those of 220 healthy people and adjusted to take account of other factors likely to influence the findings, including age, sex, energy intake, weight, and smoking habit.

It was found that total energy intake and consumption of dietary supplements were the same in both groups, but intake of total fats differed.

The patients with ALS consumed significantly less polyunsaturated fats and vitamin E than the healthy group.

The highest daily intake of polyunsaturated fats - more than 32g - was associated with a 60 per cent lower risk of developing ALS compared with the lowest daily intake of less than 25g.

Similarly, a daily vitamin E intake of between 18 and 22mg was associated with a 60 per cent lower risk of developing ALS compared with the lowest daily intake of less than 18 mg.

Polyunsaturated fat and vitamin E seemed to work synergistically, the researchers found,

The results held true even after taking account of other influential factors, the team added.

No strong associations were found for any of the other nutrients.

The study will appear in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry.