MSLT: Maintenance of Sleep Latency Test
The Gold Standard for testing a patient to make a diagnosis of Narcolepsy. If a patient presents to the physician the following complaints an overnight Polysomnography with MSLT may be ordered:
- Do you have problems staying awake or alert during the day or do you have sleep attacks?
- Have you ever fallen down when angry or laughing?
- If you nap, are your naps refreshing?
- Do you ever awaken from sleep unable to move?
- Do you see, hear or feel things or experience vivid hallucinations when falling to sleep or awakening from sleep?
An MSLT is a series of 20 minute naps (4-5) following an overnight Polysomnography. The opportunity to take a nap is offered at two hour intervals, beginning when the patient wakes in the morning.
Purpose: two or more naps containing REM sleep may test positive for Narcolepsy.