Examination of regional cerebral blood flow is limited by shortcomings inherent in existing neural imaging tech-niques. In this perspective, we identify problems associated with accurate diagnosis; polytypicality of symptoms, especially in aphasia; and suggest that the brain’s responses to acoustic stimuli may provide a fruitful direction for future research. We employ models from oceanography, such as Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers to illu-strate techniques which may inform new ways to examine arterial blood flow.