The present invention, at least in part, provides methods of improved early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disease, e.g., ALS, in a subject via measurement of the gait dynamics of the subject (e.g., via the exemplary ventral plane videography methods disclosed herein). The present invention also provides for administration of a beta-adrenergic blocking agent (beta-blocker) to a subject at risk of developing ALS (e.g., a SOD1 G93A mouse) and/or having early stages of ALS, to modulate supranormal gait characteristics and to prevent, treat and/or ameliorate the onset, advancement, severity or effects of a neurodegenerative disease, e.g., ALS, in the subject.