Professor Leigh studied medicine at the London Hospital and worked at Southampton and at St George's and Atkinson Morley Hospitals.

In 1989 he was appointed to the Chair of Clinical Neurology at the Institute of Psychiatry. He is an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at King's College Hospital NHS Trust and the South London and Maudsley NHS Trust.

n 1990 Nigel Leigh set up one of the first multi-professional clinics within the National Health Service to provide a joint medical and therapy out-patient service for people with MND.

At the same time, a research group was developed to carry out laboratory and clinical research into motor neurone disorders. He has helped to establish many of the clinical trials looking at the effect of new drugs in MND, including the trial of the only drug (Riluzole) which is licensed for use in MND as an agent that modifies disease progression.

In 1997 Nigel Leigh received the Forbes Norris Award from the International Alliance of ALS/MND Societies.