1. A method of magnetic resonance imaging of functional, hemodynamic, or blood flow parameters comprising the steps of: a) applying pulse echo RF excitation pulses to excite nuclear spins, b) applying a multiple echo or spin echo gradient pulse sequence whereby an early echo is acquired near the beginning of the gradient pulse sequence and a later echo is acquired near the end of the gradient pulse sequence, and c) using echo signals to derive spatial and temporal maps of quantitative functional, hemodynamic, or blood flow parameters.