FAQs

As a result of the continuing global uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the MND Association has taken the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s International Symposium on ALS/MND. This follows detailed consultation with the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations and our 2020 hosts ALS Canada and ALS Quebec.

We have considered many factors over recent weeks, including the potential for global travel, rules around gatherings and social distancing, and the financial implications of the various scenarios open to us. Of course, none of us can be sure what restrictions will be in place in December, when the Symposium was due to take place. It was that lack of certainty which became the overriding factor in our decision-making. By cancelling now, we have limited the financial risk to the MND Association at a time when, like many charities, we are facing a considerable fall in income

We appreciate how disappointing this news will be to all of those involved in supporting and attending both the Alliance meetings and the Symposium over recent years – we share your disappointment.

Our teams are now working hard to create alternative opportunities to exchange the latest exciting advances in research and clinical management and to ensure global collaboration continues. Our current focus is the creation of a Virtual Symposium later this year – we will bring you more details on that over the coming weeks.

The 30th International Symposium on ALS/MND in Perth 2019 was approved by the Federation of the Royal College of Physicians of the United Kingdom for 18 category 1 (external) CPD credits. More information for this year's 31st Symposium will be coming soon.

The 30th International Symposium on ALS/MND in Perth 2019, was accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) with 13 European CME credits (ECMEC®s). More information for this year's 31st Symposium will be coming soon.

Note that if there is a change in presenting author you must let us know as soon as possible by emailing abstracts@mndassociation.org. This includes instances when someone is presenting on your behalf or you are no longer able to attend.

The Poster Prize is usually awarded to two presenting authors of the best biomedical and clinical posters. Find out more about eligibility on the Poster Prize page.

Posters should be paper size A0 (841 x 1189mm; size E by American National Standards Institute) in a portrait orientation.

We will recommend a site in Montreal closer to the date of the 31st Symposium.

The submission deadline for abstracts wwill be announced soon.

The Programme Committee will review all submitted abstracts during June. All corresponding authors will be notified about their abstract decision by the end of July.

Abstracts can usually be withdrawn before August, an exact date will be announced soon. Any abstracts withdrawn after this date will still be published in the journal supplement.

Abstracts for the platform and poster presentations will be published in the online only version of the ‘Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis & Frontotemporal Degeneration’ journal supplement. Work in Progress/Care Practice abstracts will be available to download from our website as a PDF document and will not be published in the ALS&FD journal supplement.

The draft programme will be available on our website in early August.

Each year, we have one or two slots reserved for news on results. For example, from a Phase 3 clinical trial, new gene discovery or similar; these are highly competitive, and there is therefore no guarantee of securing a slot. A short abstract must be submitted no later than the end of September to abstracts@mndassociation.org.

Abstracts from previous years can be found online on the Past Symposia page or on the Taylor & Francis website.