Objectives <p>To investigate the association between quantitative MRI parameters of the pancreatic parenchyma and risk stratification of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).</p> Materials and methods <p>This study included 235 participants: 163 with IPMN and 72 with a normal pancreas. IPMN cases were stratified into IPMN without guideline-based features (<i>n</i> = 111) and with guideline-based features (<i>n</i> = 52) groups based on the 2024 International Consensus Guidelines. The MRI parameters analyzed included pancreas-to-muscle signal intensity ratios on in-phase, opposed-phase, and T2-weighted images; apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC); proton density fat fraction (PDFF); and T1 and T2* relaxation times in the pancreatic head, body, and tail. Clinical data (age, sex, body mass index (BMI), HbA1c, bilirubin, amylase, and CA19-9) were collected. Associations with IPMN risk stratification were evaluated using Spearman’s rank correlation and univariate and multivariate logistic regression.</p> Results <p>In the pancreatic head, IPMN risk stratification showed significant correlations with age (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), BMI (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), HbA1c (<i>p</i> = 0.024), ADC (<i>p</i> = 0.025), PDFF (<i>p</i> = 0.008), and T1 relaxation time (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). In the body and tail, risk stratification correlated with age (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001), BMI (<i>p</i> = 0.004), and T1 relaxation time (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). In multivariate analysis, age, BMI, and T1 relaxation time were independent predictors of IPMN in both regions. T1 relaxation time significantly distinguished patients with and without guideline-based features in both regions (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001).</p> Conclusion <p>T1 relaxation time is significantly associated with IPMN risk stratification and may serve as a valuable imaging biomarker.</p> Key Points <p><Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Question</Emphasis> <i>Pancreatic fat content and fibrosis are potential imaging biomarkers, but their relationship to IPMN risk stratification has not been clearly established.</i></p> <p><Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Findings</Emphasis> <i>T1 relaxation time was independently associated with IPMN risk stratification, and T1 relaxation time differentiated normal pancreas from that with and without guideline-based features of IPMN.</i></p> <p><Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">Clinical relevance</Emphasis> <i>MRI-derived T1 relaxation time demonstrates utility in IPMN risk stratification and suggests its potential as an imaging biomarker that complements guideline-based features of IPMN.</i></p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>