The ALS Association is reporting that money raised through the popular “Ice Bucket Challenge,” helped in the discovery of an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis gene that is among the most common that contribute to the progressive disease.

People across the world challenged friends and family by dumping buckets of ice water on their heads in an effort to raise awareness and money for ALS.

The ALS Association says a paper published this week in the journal Nature Genetics reveals Project MinE researchers have identified the NEK1 gene’s connection to ALS. It says understanding the gene’s role will help in developing new target therapy for ALS. clickondetroit

The mega-viral challenge raised more than $100 million for ALS research. Some of that money helped fund a global effort to help find genetic drivers of the condition called Project MinE.