Plaques form through processes such as protein misfolding, inflammation, and cell death. Exposure to certain toxic substances can exacerbate these processes. For example, neurotoxins can induce oxidative stress, leading to the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Similarly, cholesterol plaques in arteries can result from exposure to environmental pollutants that affect lipid metabolism.
