HSF1 and neurodegenerative disease: As exemplified by the HSF1 pathway, where the neuroprotective properties of several compounds and small molecules have only been revealed after the elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms of HSF1 (Figure 1), future studies on dissecting the intricate regulatory network in neuronal chaperones and stress response will be fruitful and will not only contribute to the understanding of neuroprotection but also serve as a stepping stone towards therapeutic design for neurodegenerative diseases.