Jul 28, 2016 07:49 AM EDT By Anita Valencia, UniversityHerald Reporter

Remember the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge back in 2014, when celebrities and commoners dumped ice cold water over their heads, filmed it and post it on their social media?

The trending challenge quickly garnered criticism and skepticism as people are doubtful if the campaign could have significant impact for ALS disease cure.

A recent breakthrough in ALS disease research proves that the Ice Bucket Challenge does deliver significant impact

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge started in 2014 and it raised $115 million for studies and researches on the disease. A team of scientist at University of Massachusetts, involving more than 80 researchers in 11 countries, discovered NEK1 - a mutant gene linked to 3 percent of ALS disease cases. The study named Project MinE, analyzed the genomes of 15,000 people with ALS disorder and published it in Nature Genetics journals, as reported in Unmass Med School website.

It seems that Mark Zuckerberg, David Beckham and Robert Downey Jr's efforts to dump ice water over their heads have enabled the research in Project MinE to identify NEK1 which has many roles in neurons. For instance, the NEK1 is responsible to regulate mitochondrion membrane for neurons' energy supply. ALS disease has been linked to the disruption of this function.

Thanks to ALS Ice Bucket Challenge!

The simple deed, which involved asking three other persons to do the same thing; quickly went viral and raised $115 million. ALS Association shared a chart of the full detail in Ice Bucket Challenge donations.

The non-profit organization released the impact in an infographic - stating that 67 percent of donations go to ALS research; 20 percent go to community services and patients; and 9 percent of the amounts go to professional and public education.

Brian Frederick from ALS Association said that the Ice Bucket Challenge donation has proven to be impactful on the research. "Project MinE is really important", he added. The discovery of the new gene will help scientists to better understand ALS disease.

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