Nigel Leigh

Professor Nigel Leigh is a Professor (Honorary Consultant) in Clinical Neurology at Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex. He is a leading expert in clinical neuroscience, with a focus on neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and corticobasal syndrome (CBS).

• MB BS, PhD – University of London, United Kingdom, 1970
• Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci) – 2003

His research spans clinical neurology, neuroimaging, biomarker discovery, and neuroinflammation. He investigates the pathophysiology of motor neuron diseases and atypical parkinsonian syndromes, aiming to improve diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. His work integrates advanced imaging techniques, genetic analysis, and fluid biomarkers to understand disease mechanisms and progression.

The recent publications highlight a strong focus on α-synuclein seed amplification assays for Parkinson’s and atypical parkinsonism, neurofilament light as a prognostic marker, neuroimaging of atrophy patterns, and immunomodulatory therapies like low-dose IL-2 in ALS. His research frequently employs longitudinal cohort studies, clinical trials, and multi-omics approaches, reflecting a translational neuroscience strategy.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (FMedSci), 2003

Professor Leigh has been a principal investigator on numerous research grants, including the MIROCALS trial on low-dose IL-2 for ALS, funded by the Motor Neurone Disease Association and the European Union. He has also led projects on non-coding RNA biomarkers, neuroimaging in MND, and the creation of national DNA repositories, supported by the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council. While no students are listed, his collaborations span multiple institutions and involve large multi-center studies.

He is actively involved in building research infrastructure, including the Sussex Motor Neurone Disease Care and Research Network and the London Brain Bank. His work continues to shape clinical trial design and biomarker development in neurodegenerative diseases.