HSF1 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Activation of hsf-1 or overexpressing chaperones can increase longevity and stress resistance (5, 6), whereas deficiency or deregulation of hsf-1 activity is associated with accelerated aging phenotypes and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease (7, 8).