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.