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Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

Do you experience excessive daytime sleepiness? The Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is a diagnostic tool used to measure sleepiness and diagnose sleep disorders like narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.

What it does:

• Measures how quickly you fall asleep during multiple nap opportunities throughout the day.
• Tracks your sleep stages, specifically how quickly you enter REM sleep.

Why it's done:

• Helps doctor understand your daytime sleepiness and potential underlying sleep disorder.
• Used in conjunction with a sleep study (polysomnography) to diagnose narcolepsy.

What to expect:

• The MSLT is a daytime test, usually following an overnight sleep study.
• You will be given opportunities to nap, typically four or five, spaced two hours apart.
• During each nap period, you'll lie in a quiet, dark room with sensors monitoring your brain activity and eye movements.
• The test measures how long it takes you to fall asleep (sleep latency) and how quickly you enter REM sleep.