However, both clusters and tangles are present in Alzheimer's patients. Another link being studied is the role of pollutants such as lead, which has been found in the brains of some patients. The herpes virus is remarkably similar to the protein beta amyloid and may also be a piece in the puzzle. The role of estrogen has been investigated, and at first the hormone seemed to hold promise as a treatment. However, in further studies it was not proved to be effective.
Brain cells have receptors for estrogen, which factors in growth.
It may modify some of the risk factors but doesn't seem to have an effect on the disease itself. Very limited studies have been done and basically involved field work in which people were asked if they took anti-inflammatories and whether they had Alzheimer's disease. There was a correlation between those who took the painkillers and those who did not seem to develop the disease, but several other factors could have been at play, and it really tells us nothing about the disease itself. It's way too early to make any predictions. There are some treatments that do relieve some of the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.