A magnetic resonance (MR) imaging method for detecting neuronal activity in a subject's brain comprises performing a first MR imaging sequence part a) comprising a preparatory spin-locking pulse sequence part followed by an acquisition pulse sequence part, followed by a second MR imaging sequence part b) comprising the same acquisition pulse sequence part, whereafter steps a) and b) are repeated for a predetermined number of instances, each time using a different initial spin-lock phase. In order to detect neuronal activity in a subject's brain the MR imaging method is carried out with the subject's brain positioned in the MR imaging system； difference MR data are obtained by subtracting said second MR data from said first MR data, wherein zones of comparatively high brightness are indicative of fast oscillating neuronal currents.
