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Ice Bucket Challenge leads to ALS breakthrough

File image of the ice bucket challenge

It was the social media craze of 2014, the Ice Bucket Challenge. Now, the ALS Association says money raised from the viral trend helped lead to an important breakthrough in the neuromuscular disorder.

According to a release from the ALS Association, researchers found a new gene, NEK1, that ranks among the most common genes that contribute to ALS.

Researchers said the gene is present in both sporadic and familial ALS, and “gives scientists an exciting new target for drug development.”

Multiple news outlets reported the Ice Bucket Challenge raised more than $200 million for ALS research.

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