Myelin-weighted imaging derived from quantitative parameter mapping

•Development of a novel myelin visualization method using relaxation time derived from QPM-MRI.•Proportional increasing of myelin signal by-product of R1 and R2*.•Demonstration of cerebral abnormalities in a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient.•Contribution for myelin visualization in addition to conventional T1w/T2w ratio mapping. We developed a novel method which is applicable to visualize contrast according to myelin components in the human brain using relaxation time derived from quantitative parameter mapping magnetic resonance imaging (QPM-MRI). Using healthy volunteer data (n = 10), we verified that our method demonstrated that the myelin-weighted contrast increased proportionally by products R1 and R2*, i.e., QPM-myelin-weighted image, in which modified T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio mapping method was applied. We compared measurement values in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) regions of the T1w/T2w ratio and R1·R2* product maps of healthy volunteers. Linear regression analysis between each value. Mann Whitney U test between WM and GM signals in each myelin map. In addition, Additionally, QPM-myelin-weighted image was applied to a 32-year-old female MS patient. Linear regression analysis showed a highly significant correlation between conventional T1w/T2w ratios and R1·R2* products derived from QPM (R = 0.73, P