Abstract: A method for treating diabetes in a mammalian subject in need of same wherein the method comprises: administering to the mammalian subject an agent capable of modulating a ganglioside GM-1 (GM-1) associated activity in an amount effect to treat the disease; wherein the agent, when in vivo, has an effect on GM-1 mediated intracellular signalling events; and wherein if the agent is for co-administration with an antigen, then the agent and the antigen are not so linked to form a single active agent.