Please see below for frequently asked questions about the International Symposium on ALS/MND. If you can't find an answer to your question below, please do not hesitate to contact us.
General
Following the success of last year’s virtual Symposium and the ongoing challenges caused by the global pandemic, the MND Association’s 33rd International Symposium on ALS/MND, 6-9 December 2022, will once again be held online.
As many of you know, we were due to be hosted in San Diego by the ALS Association (ALSA). We have consulted with ALSA and the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations prior to making this decision. The latest COVID-19 omicron wave has demonstrated the frightening speed at which new variants can spread across the world. Given the prospect of new COVID-19 variants and additional spikes toward the end of the year and taking into account the risks linked to significant contractual obligations, we do not have the logistical or financial certainty we need to go ahead with planning an on-site event of the scale and international reach of the Symposium. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are acutely aware of our responsibility to ensure charitable funds are used wisely in supporting people affected by ALS/MND and in the search for effective treatments.
Whilst we are incredibly disappointed in having to make this decision, we can do so in the knowledge that over the past two years we have demonstrated the success of the online event. Although this cannot replicate an onsite meeting, it has proven effective in maintaining communication across the ALS/MND research community and in making the Symposium more accessible to a wider international audience.
Sponsorship
Information on sponsorship opportunities for the 33rd International Symposium on ALS/MND will be available shortly.
Registration
Registration rates for this year's event will be £60. We do not offer a day rate, as delegates are expected to attend all days of the conference.
There are no reduced rates for students.
Usually, people with MND are charged the early bird (discounted) rate, and one accompanying carer will be able to attend for free. Registration rates for this year's event are TBC.
Whilst the event is aimed primarily at scientists and healthcare professionals, there is an opportunity for people with MND to attend, via the Patient Fellows Programme managed by the ALS Therapeutic Development Institute (ALSTDI). This allows some people with MND to be funded to attend the Symposium and then share their experiences via an article or social media.
Yes, all delegates will receive a certificate of attendance. This will be emailed to delegates after the symposium.
For the 32nd Symposium please email symposium@mndassociation.org before the 1st June 2022.
Unfortunately there will be no certificates of attendance supplied for the 31st Symposium from December 2020. Due to the event being virtual for the first time and an inability to accurately record individuals attendance the decision was made that we will be unable to provide these. However, you should have your receipt for registration and confirmation email should you require proof of registration.
Abstract submission
The deadline for abstract submission for the 33rd Symposium in December 2022 is expected to be mid July 2021 (this date is provisional). Sign up for regular Symposium updates so that you don't miss any important dates and announcements.
If you have any specific queries, please email abstracts@mndassociation.org.
When the abstract submission system has closed and the abstracts have been reviewed, corresponding authors will be notified about their abstract decision in late August. If you have been accepted, further instructions on how to submit your presentation materials will be provided to you.
Successful abstracts are usually published and available to view on this website in the weeks leading up to the symposium.
Abstracts from previous years can be found online on the Past Symposia page and on the Taylor & Francis website.
Posters
At the Virtual Symposium, posters are available to view on-demand in the ePoster Hall so delegates can "virtually wander around" at any time during the event. Here, each poster was supported with a ‘lightning explainer’ video by the authors to summarise their research within 3 minutes, as well as their poster PDF and abstract as handouts, to allow work to be shared in an easily digestible format. Live Poster Sessions give presenting authors the opportunity to discuss their work live with small groups of delegates. Find out more on the poster presentation page.
Last year we had around 350 posters displayed at the Virtual 32nd Symposium, you can read the abstracts online.
At the traditional Symposium, the Poster Prize is usually awarded to presenting authors of the best biomedical and clinical posters.
For the Virtual Symposium, posters will not have to be printed but author(s) will have to submit a PDF of the poster along with a three minute ‘lightning explainer’ video (as a YouTube or Vimeo URL) to present their research in the ePoster Hall that is available to view throughout the meeting. Live poster sessions take place on each day of the event for authors to discuss their work live with delegates.
More information on the poster presentation page.
We also do not usually supply certification of poster presentation. Please use the confirmation of poster acceptance email should you require proof of this.
Programme
Details of this year's draft programme will be available later this year. The full programme will be published in November 2022.
Each year, we hold a vacant ‘late breaking news’ slot for consideration of news on results. For example, from a Phase 3 clinical trial (or phase 2 with significant results) or new gene discoveries with major implications for understanding of disease, or similar. These are competitive and there is therefore no guarantee of securing a slot. The decision on the late breaking news item(s) is taken by the Programme Committee in the weeks leading up to the event. A short abstract must be submitted to abstracts@mndassociation.org.