Abstract
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are evolutionarily conserved molecules and play important roles in fundamental cellular processes. They serve as molecular chaperones and hence provide a protective function in ensuring cell survival and repair of cellular damage after a stressful stimulus. This paper summarizes the current knowledge about the different roles of HSPs in aging and disease, focusing on the neurodegenerative disorders of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and prion disease.