Treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Antibody methods for blocking the effects of diabetes-associated peptide, or "amylin", a hormone found in the amyloid masses of Type 2 diabetics, are disclosed. This putative hormone has been discovered to function both to inhibit insulin secretion and to inhibit glycogen synthesis. Regulation is accomplished by blocking the binding of amylin or amylin agonists, including calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), or biologically active sub-peptides thereof. Inhibitors include antibodies directed to amylin and amylin agonist active sites. Other antagonists include anti-idiotype antibodies directed to antibodies directed to amylin.