Hugh Perry is one of this country’s leading neuroscientists in the field of degenerative brain disease and inflammatory mechanisms. His international and national prominence in this field of biological science has centred on his work on how both innate and acquired immune responses influence neural degeneration in diseases such as MS and Alzheimer’s. Particularly relevant to his work is the discovery of a unique gene expressed in axons which regulates their apoptosis and is deficient in the Wlds mouse. With in excess of £1.75x106 current grant funding and over 190 peer-reviewed publications, many in first rate journals, Hugh has distinguished himself as a world class scientist with a strong focus on integrative neurobiology. In 2003 he was selected by ISI as one of their most Highly Cited Neuroscientists worldwide. He is currently an Editorial Board Member of six leading Neuroscience journals, has been a member of the Wellcome Trust’s Neuroscience Panel from 2002-2004 and is currently Chairman of their new Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Panel (2004- present). He is Chairman of the UK Motor Neurone Disease Association (2003-present) and until 2003 was an active member of the International Spinal Research Trust Advisory Board. Throughout his career, Hugh Perry has consistently demonstrated high quality research output, as well as demonstrating real leadership in his field. On the basis of these attributes it would be highly appropriate for him to be elected as a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.