tRNA-DERIVED FRAGMENTS AS BIOMARKERS FOR PARKINSON'S DISEASE

A method of diagnosing, identifying or monitoring Parkinson's Disease (PD) in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:

• isolating tRFs from a cell obtained from the subject;
• quantifying the tRFs using a panel of oligonucleotides engineered to detect tRFs, or another method;
• analyzing levels of the tRFs present in the cell;
• wherein a differential in the level of measured tRFs as compared to a reference is indicative of a diagnosis or identification of PD in the subject;
• and
• providing a treatment regimen to the subject dependent on the differential in the level of measured tRFs as compared to the reference.

A method of identifying a subject at risk for developing Parkinson's Disease (PD) or in need of therapeutic intervention to treat Parkinson's disease (PD), the method comprising:

• isolating fragments of tRFs from a sample obtained from the subject;
• quantifying the tRFs using a panel of oligonucleotides engineered to detect tRFs, or another method;
• and
• characterizing the tRFs and their relative abundance in the sample to identify a signature, wherein when the signature is indicative of a prognosis for developing PD or a diagnosis for PD, a treatment of the subject is recommended.