Multiple sleep latency test

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Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)

The Multiple Sleep Latity Test (MSLT), pronounced as /ˈmʌltɪpəl sliːp ˈlætənsi tɛst/, is a sleep disorder diagnostic tool used to measure the speed at which a person falls asleep in a quiet environment during the day. The term originates from the words "multiple" (from Latin multiplus meaning "manifold"), "sleep" (from Old English slæp meaning "the state of being asleep"), "latency" (from Latin latens meaning "lying hidden"), and "test" (from Old French test meaning "small vessel").

Procedure

The MSLT involves a series of naps scheduled throughout the day. The patient is instructed to try to fall asleep, and the time it takes for the patient to fall asleep is measured. This is known as the sleep latency. The test is typically conducted after an overnight polysomnography (PSG), a comprehensive recording of the biophysiological changes that occur during sleep.

Indications

The MSLT is primarily used to diagnose narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, two conditions characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness. It can also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatment for these conditions.

Interpretation

The results of the MSLT are interpreted by a sleep specialist. A mean sleep latency of less than 8 minutes and two or more sleep onset REM periods (SOREMPs) may indicate narcolepsy. A mean sleep latency of less than 8 minutes without SOREMPs may suggest idiopathic hypersomnia.

Related Terms

  • Polysomnography: A type of sleep study.
  • Narcolepsy: A neurological disorder that affects the control of sleep and wakefulness.
  • Idiopathic hypersomnia: A sleep disorder characterized by chronic and excessive daytime sleepiness.
  • REM: Rapid Eye Movement, a unique phase of sleep in mammals and birds, distinguishable by random/rapid movement of the eyes, accompanied with low muscle tone throughout the body, and the propensity of the sleeper to dream vividly.

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