1. A method for detecting neurovascular uncoupling in the brain of a subject, the steps comprising: a) acquiring fMRI data from the subject with a magnetic resonance imaging system that measures brain activity in response to at least one of a selected stimulus applied to the subject and a selected task performed by the subject; b) measuring directly the response of the subject to the at least one selected stimulus and selected task performed by the subject; c) comparing the response indicated by the brain activity measured in step a) with the response directly measured in step b); and d) indicating any difference between subject response as measured in step a) and the subject response as measured in step b) as neurovascular uncoupling.