A method of detecting the occurrence of neuronal events in a brain with high temporal accuracy and of distinguishing between contemporaneous neuronal events is disclosed. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, two or more stimuli are chosen and administered to a subject at a temporal interval apart. Each stimulus causes a neuronal event in the brain of the subject, and if the two neuronal events occur at the same time and at the same place, they interfere, which interference is manifested by different physiological effects than are caused by either neuronal event alone. When the interference is detected, the time interval between the first stimulus and the second stimulus can be compared to a nominal range. If the time interval is outside of the nominal range, then it suggests that a pathological condition exists. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: stimulating a subject with a first stimulus to cause a first event in the subject; stimulating the subject with a second stimulus to cause a second event in the subject, wherein the second stimulus occurs at a temporal interval, DELTA tn, after the first stimulus, and wherein the first event and the second event jointly affect at least one characteristic of a first physiological effect at a first region of the subject as a function of the temporal interval, DELTA tn; and measuring the at least one characteristic of the first physiological effect at the first region of the subject. <IMAGE>
Functional magnetic resonance imaging capable of detecting the occurrence of neuronal events with high temporal accuracy