A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging scheme suitable for three dimensional physiological function imaging such as brain function imaging. In this scheme, the pulse sequence is controlled to realize a three dimensional imaging sequence with a division scan in at least one of a first encoding direction and a second encoding direction. In other words, the pulse sequence is controlled to realize a three dimensional imaging sequence with first encoding gradient field pulses and second encoding gradient field pulses for defining regular sampling pitches in first and second encoding directions, where at least one of the first encoding gradient field pulses and the second encoding gradient field pulses has a lead-in pulse in regularly changing magnitude for each spin excitation.
Method and apparatus for high speed three dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance imaging