In normal subjects, a single episode of hypoglycemia increases beta-adrenergic sensitivity. In diabetic subjects, in contrast, hypoglycemia reduces beta-adrenergic sensitivity. These results provide evidence that in type 1 diabetic patients, some maladaptation of tissue sensitivity to catecholamines contributes to the development of hypoglycemia unawareness. A unifying hypothesis is presented for the pathogenesis of hypoglycemia unawareness in type 1 diabetic patients incorporating the concepts of both a reduced catecholamine response and reduced adrenergic sensitivity

Since the addicted persons often show little motivation for a behavioural change we consider it a promising approach to treat and train their relatives with the aim of increasing the motivation for a behavioural change of the addicted person.

No abstract