1. A method of performing functional magnetic resonance imaging, comprising the steps of: exciting multiple adjacent slabs sequentially, wherein each slab comprises a plurality of image slices; encoding each slab of the multiple adjacent slabs in a single-shot three-dimensional measurement to resolve the plurality of image slices within each slab to obtain individual encoded slabs; minimizing inter-slab crosstalk to avoid spatial aliasing and to minimize signal losses at the edges of each individual encoded slab by using numerically optimized slab selection radio frequency pulses and spatial oversampling of image slices located on either side of each individual encoded slab; undersampling the k-space data acquisition; creating an un-aliased image from each individual encoded slab utilizing parallel imaging; reconstructing a final contiguous volumetric image from all individual encoded slabs including the plurality of image slices.