Definition: The MSLT is a diagnostic test where the patient attempts to take a short nap every two hours, in order to determine the degree of daytime sleepiness a person experiences.
The MSLT measures how quickly you fall asleep and whether any REM sleep occurs. The test is often used to differentiate between a diagnosis of idiopathic hypersomnia (excessive sleepiness without a cause) and narcolepsy. It frequently follows an overnight polysomnogram study.
Also Known As: Multiple sleep latency test
Examples:
After Melissa fell asleep at work many days in a row, her doctor suggested a sleep study with an MSLT to check for narcolepsy.
