In response to oxidative stress or starvation, FOXO–dependent transcription in neurons serves to trigger apoptosis by inducing gene expression of FasL, BcL-6, Bim, etc. In astrocyte, FOXO suppress cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle regulatory proteins cyclin G2, Gadd45a and p27/p21. FOXO also play a crucial role in the homeostatic maintenance of neuronal progenitor cells by coordinating quiescence, stress resistance, and/or terminal differentiation.