2021 NANS Annual Meeting, Abstract Submission Guidelines

Submission Period: April 15, 2020 - July 30, 2020. The submission portal closes at 1:00 pm (CDT) on Thursday, July 30, 2020.

How Do I Submit an Abstract?

NANS Members: You can log in to the abstract submission site using your NANS username and password.

Non-Members: If you have previously submitted an abstract, you may already have a username and password. If you cannot remember your username and password, please contact Member Services at 847.375.4714 or info@neuromodulation.org for assistance in obtaining your credentials. For registration purposes, it is critical that you do not create a duplicate membership record.

If you are not a member and/or have not used the abstract submission site before, you can register to create an account here.

Submit an Abstract

When Is the Submission Deadline?

Thursday, July 30, 2020, at 1:00 pm (CDT).

Duplicate Abstracts

If the same abstract is submitted more than once for the 2021 Annual Meeting, then all versions of the abstracts will be subject to automatic rejection. Duplicate submissions under separate categories will be subject to automatic rejection as well. For example, do not submit the same abstract under the Late-Breaking Abstract category and the Scientific Abstract category. In order to avoid more than one submission of the same abstract, please make sure all authors agree on only one abstract submitter.

What are the Abstract Categories?

Submitters will be required to select one (1) of the following categories on the abstract submission form. Please see all the topics below to determine your abstract category:

Scientific Abstracts:

• Basic Science
• Education, Diversity, and Outreach
• Engineering: Big Data/Machine Learning
• Engineering: Neural Prosthetic and New Technology
• Engineering: Neurobiology of Neuromodulation
• Epilepsy
• Headache and Facial Pain
• Movement Disorders
• Neuromodulation and Rehabilitation
• Non-Neurological Neuromodulation (Cardiovascular, GU, GI, others)
• Pain: Central Neuromodulation
• Pain: Intrathecal Therapies
• Pain: Opioids and Neuromodulation
• Pain: Peripheral Neuromodulation
• Pain: Spinal Cord Stimulation
• Psychiatric Neuromodulation
• Socioeconomics/Cost Effectiveness

​Medically Challenging Cases:

• This category will only be accepted for a Paper Poster Presentation or an E-poster. 

Late-Breaking Abstract:

• Only clinical trials will be considered for the Late-Breaking Abstract category.
  • Abstract submission must be a prospective study.
  • The study must be ongoing at the time of initial submission.
  • Expect to have finalized data by October 29, 2020.

What Are the Presentation Formats?

Oral Presentations — The highest-ranked abstracts are selected for an Oral Presentation in one of the Thematic Oral Abstract Sessions or Concurrent Sessions. The highest-ranked Late-Breaking Abstracts will be selected for an Oral Presentation. These sessions are awarded CME credits, and take place during the meeting on Friday and Saturday.

• In accordance with ACCME standards for commercial support, the Presenting Author of an abstract accepted for an Oral Presentation cannot be employed by an ACCME-defined commercial interest.
• Abstract submitters need to make sure that the Co-Author they designate as the Presenting Author is not an employee of a commercial interest.

Paper Posters — Highly ranked abstracts accepted for a Paper Poster Presentation will present their work on individually assigned poster boards during the interactive poster session. The Presenting Author of an abstract accepted for a Paper Poster Presentation is responsible for printing the poster and bringing it with them to the meeting. The paper poster session is a non-CME session. There are no restrictions on the financial relationships of the Presenting Author for abstracts accepted as a Paper Poster Presentation.

E-Posters — Some abstracts will only receive an acceptance for an Electronic Poster (E-poster). However, all accepted abstracts are required to submit an E-poster of their abstract to be included in our meeting publications. There will not be moderated sessions or physical presentations of E-posters during the meeting. E-posters are available during the entirety of the NANS Annual Meeting. They will be available to view on monitors at the meeting, in the NANS Annual Meeting App, and on the meeting web page. All accepted abstracts will be published electronically in the society’s journal, Neuromodulation: Technology at the Neural Interface, following the meeting.

What are the Different Abstract Roles?

Abstract Organizer — This role should be selected if you are an individual submitting the abstract on behalf of the Presenting Author and Co-Authors. Please note: this role is not an author of the abstract. Any name assigned this role will not be published or listed anywhere as an author of the abstract. During the submission process, select this role on the "People Associated with this Abstract" page.

• Example: Mr. Smith works for company X and needs to submit multiple abstracts on behalf of Dr. Jones; et al. Mr. Smith completes the abstract submission form and reaches the "People Associated with this Abstract" page. Since Mr. Smith is not the Presenting Author or a Co-Author, he will need to change his role to “Abstract Organizer.” After that is complete, Mr. Smith can then add the Presenting Author and each Co-Author associated with the abstract. As an "Abstract Organizer," Mr. Smith's name will not be listed as an author in meeting materials or when the abstract is published in the journal.

Presenting Author — The Presenting Author is the person who will present the accepted abstract at the Annual Meeting. All correspondence, including acceptance letters, will be sent via email to the Presenting Author. All abstracts must have a Presenting Author designated in order to complete the submission. Presenting Authors are responsible for the E-poster submission costs and printing costs for paper posters.

• In order to be in compliance with ACCME Standards for Commercial Support, the Presenting Author of an abstract accepted for an Oral Presentation cannot be employed by an ACCME-defined commercial interest. 

Co-Authors — Each abstract can have a maximum of 25 authors. Full names with credentials, contact information, city, and state or country must be included for all authors. After successful submission of the abstract, all Co-Authors will receive an email notification about the abstract submission. They will also receive an email to complete a required Disclosure of Conflict of Interest Form. It is imperative that email addresses for all authors are correct.

Submission Criteria and Considerations for All Abstracts

Title — The title will be published in meeting materials. As an example, a properly formatted title would read: "Programming Optimization Strategies for Burst May Improve Outcomes," not "Programming optimization strategies for burst may improve outcomes."

Abstract Body — This includes an Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusion.

Length — Should not exceed 400 words.

References — Include any references that were used in preparing the abstract.

Figures — Charts, graphs, or images can be submitted. File(s) must be in .jpg, .gif, or .png format.

Additional Information — You will need to provide three keywords that describe your abstract.

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest — The Abstract Submitter, Presenting Author, and all Co-Authors of the submitted abstract are required to complete the Disclosure of Conflict of Interest Form, as well as an agreement with the Terms and Conditions.

CME Requirements — Abstracts accepted for the 2021 NANS Annual Meeting cannot contain advertising, logos, trade names, or a product-group message. To ensure all scientific content is free from commercial bias, please include generic names or terms in your abstract content. If the abstract includes trade names, names from several companies should be used to present all available treatment options.

Review Work — All abstract details, including author information, will be published exactly as submitted, without exception. Please review submissions carefully for typographical errors.

• Once your abstract has been submitted, the NANS Staff is not responsible for making any edits and/or changes on your behalf.

Submit — A confirmation letter will be sent after successful submission of the abstract.

Late-Breaking Abstracts: Guidelines and Submission Requirements

• In order to be considered for a late-breaking abstract submission, submitters must submit an initial abstract in the NANS 24th Annual Meeting submission portal by the submission deadline: July 30, 2020. Late submissions will not be accepted. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.
• Only clinical trials will be considered for the Late-Breaking Abstract category.
  
  • Abstract submission must be a prospective study.
  • The study must be ongoing at the time of the initial submission.
  • Expect to have finalized data by October 29, 2020.
• Submissions are limited to highly significant and timely new and novel research that was unavailable by the original NANS 24th Annual Meeting abstract submission deadline.
• Late-Breaking Abstracts must not have been submitted, presented, accepted for presentation or published in any other scientific venue.
• Authors may submit only one (1) Late-Breaking Abstract.
• Duplicate abstracts (reporting the same data) that are submitted under a different author or abstract category will not be considered.
• Case studies and case reports CANNOT be submitted as Late-Breaking Abstracts. 
• Late-Breaking Abstracts will be published exactly as they are submitted, with no exceptions.
• Submitted Late-Breaking Abstracts will be reviewed by the NANS Abstract Committee.
• The highest-ranked Late-Breaking Abstracts will be selected for an Oral Presentation. These sessions are awarded CME Credits and take place during the meeting on Friday and Saturday.
• If selected for consideration, submitters will receive a notification in early October to submit updated data.
• Submitters will be required to submit updated data by October 29, 2020. Late submissions will not be accepted. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS.
• Late-Breaking Abstract acceptance letters will be sent via email to the Presenting Author (only) in late November 2020.
• If selected, the Presenting Author designated by the submitter during the submission process, will be responsible for all expenses associated with attending the Annual Meeting, including meeting registration, travel, housing, and e-poster administrative fees. 

Can I Edit my Submission?

Abstract Submitters may make corrections to abstracts until July 30, 2020, at 12:59 pm (CDT). Edits would include changing the title, adding or deleting authors, or changing the abstract body. Data for abstracts cannot be changed after the abstract submission site has closed. Once the review process begins no changes to the submissions are allowed – no exceptions. Please note that any typographical or spelling errors, improperly formatted titles, etc., will NOT be edited by anyone at the NANS office. It is the responsibility of the submitter to review and verify all work submitted. 

Can I Submit Charts, Graphs or Images with the Abstract Submission?

Yes, if you have any charts, graphs, or images associated with your abstract, please upload them as .jpg, .gif, or .png file formats in the abstract submission form.

Accessing an Abstract after the NANS Abstract Submission Site is Closed

After the submission site is closed, only Abstract Submitters are able to log in to the submission site and see a “read-only” version of the abstract submission. It is highly encouraged to print or save a copy of your abstract submission before the submission site closes.

• Login to the abstract submission site using your NANS username and password.
• Click on the navigation tab called, "My Abstracts."
• You will see the abstract(s) you submitted.
• In the table under the column called, "Actions," select the icon that looks like a notepad to see your abstract submission proof.
• If you would like to print or save a copy of the proof, click on the "print this page for your records" at the top of the submission proof page.

​How Will the Abstract Be Available to Meeting Attendees?

All accepted abstracts must submit an electronic poster (e-poster) of their abstract. E-posters will be available to view on monitors throughout the entire meeting. Accepted abstracts and e-posters will be available in the NANS Annual Meeting App. Abstracts and e-posters will also be available after the meeting on the NANS Annual Meeting webpage. They will be published exactly as they are submitted, with no exceptions. Please proofread your abstract before it is submitted to avoid errors.  

What is the Review Process?

Abstracts submitted for the 2021 NANS Annual Meeting will go through a blind review process by an independent scientific review committee and scored on scientific merit, originality, and relevance to the field of neuromodulation. Although scientific data is important, the quality of the abstract is the primary determinant for acceptance by the NANS Scientific Program Committee. The Scientific Program Committee has final discretion regarding abstract presentation format. 

Registration/Attendance Requirement

The Presenting Author of an Oral Presentation, Paper Poster Presentation, or an E-poster must register to attend the 2021 NANS Annual Meeting by Friday, December 4, 2020, for any accepted abstract to remain in the program. If the Presenting Author does not register by this date, all accepted abstracts by the Presenting Author will be declined. If not able to assume the responsibilities of Presenting Author, a Change of Presenting Author Form must be completed and submitted by Friday, November 20, 2020.

Change the Presenting Author for an Abstract

If the Presenting Author is not able to attend the meeting, a Change of Presenting Author Form must be completed and submitted. Please forward the completed form to LDeSchaaf@neuromodulation.org. No change will be made without receipt of the completed form, including updated disclosure information. Deadline to submit Change of Presenting Author Forms: Friday, November 20, 2020.   

After the change, all correspondence will then be addressed and sent to the new Presenting Author.

Travel Arrangements and Expenses

The Presenting Authors for all accepted abstracts (Oral Presentation, Paper Poster Presentation, and Electronic Poster) are responsible for all expenses associated with attending the Annual Meeting, including:

• Meeting Registration
• Travel
• Housing
• E-poster Administrative Fees
• Paper Poster Printing

Important Dates for the 2021 NANS Annual Meeting Abstract Submission Site

April 2020

• Wednesday, April 15, 2020: Abstract Submission Site Opens.

July 2020

• ​Wednesday, July 30, 2020, 1:00 pm (CDT): Abstract Submission Deadline. Submission site closes at 1:00 pm (CDT).

October 2020

• Early October: Acceptance notification emails are sent to each abstract submission’s Presenting Author.

• Late-Breaking Abstracts — Emails requesting submission of updated data are sent to the Abstract Submitter.

• October 29, 2020, 11:59 pm (CDT): Late-Breaking Abstract Updated Data Submission Deadline. Submission site closes at 11:59 pm (CDT).

November 2020

• November 20, 2020: Deadline for Change of Presenting Author Form.

• Late November: Late-Breaking Abstract acceptance notification emails are sent to each submission's Presenting Author.

December 2020

• December 4, 2020: Registration Deadline for all Presenting Authors of accepted abstracts.

• The Presenting Authors for oral, paper, and electronic posters must be registered by this date.

• December 29, 2020: Deadline for Oral Presentation upload in management site.

January 2020

• January 7, 2021: Deadline for E-poster upload in management site.