MSLT
Medical abbreviation · Neurology
| Stands for | Multiple sleep latency test |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
MSLT stands for Multiple sleep latency test, a neurology abbreviation.
Daytime sleep study, performed after an overnight polysomnogram, in which the patient is given four or five 20-minute nap opportunities two hours apart to measure how quickly they fall asleep and whether they enter REM sleep. It is the standard test for narcolepsy.
Example: MSLT: mean sleep latency 4 minutes with three sleep-onset REM periods, consistent with narcolepsy.
Usage notes
Narcolepsy is supported by a mean sleep latency of 8 minutes or less with two or more sleep-onset REM periods. Stimulants, antidepressants and insufficient sleep can distort results, so medications are usually stopped and sleep diaries reviewed beforehand. The maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) is a related test of the ability to stay awake.
Related abbreviations
More neurology abbreviations
- MoCA – Montreal Cognitive Assessment
- MOGAD – Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease
- MOH – Medication overuse headache
- mRS – Modified Rankin Scale
- MS – Multiple sclerosis
- MSA – Multiple system atrophy
- MT – Mechanical thrombectomy
- mTBI – Mild traumatic brain injury
- NCS – Nerve conduction study
- NCSE – Nonconvulsive status epilepticus
- NCV – Nerve conduction velocity
- NF1 – Neurofibromatosis type 1
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This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.