In this paper we shall discuss stochastic effects to the stability property of a neural networkSuppose the stochastically perturbed neural network is described by an Itô equation [ILM002]The Geral theory on the almost sure exponential stability and instability of the stochastically perturbed neural network is first established. The theory is then applied to investigate the stochastic stabilization and destabilization of the neural network. Several interesting examples are also given for illustration