title: [Cortical Release Signs in Patients with Schizophrenia, Depressive Disorders, and Bipolar Affective Disorder].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Determining the presence of cortical release signs associated with white matter damage, is a clinically easy method to perform. The objective of this study is to determine the presence of cortical release signs in patients with mental illnesses and cerebrovascular disease, as well as its clinical usefulness, given that it indicates cortical damage.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review was made of cortical release signs in patients hospitalized in clinical psychiatry and general hospitals with bipolar affective disorder (40), depression (37), schizophrenia (33), cardiovascular disease (33) and dementia (37).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The signs of cortical release do not have the same importance as cortical damage. For example, the glabellar reflex was found in all the groups, that of paratonia, particularly in the group with schizophrenia, and others signs in the group of patients with dementia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is suggested that these signs imply subcortical white matter damage. The appearance of these signs shows the need for a follow up of patients diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder, depression and schizophrenia.
authors.affiliation: Médico especialista en Psiquiatría, terapeuta sistémico, magíster en epidemiología clínica; Docente en Departamento de Psiquiatría, Universidad Pontificia Javeriana; Gestor de Docencia e Investigación, Clínica Nuestra Señora de La Paz, Bogotá, Colombia. Electronic address: rde@javeriana.edu.co.
authors.forename: Ricardo Andrés
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de la Espriella
authors.affiliation: Médico, especialista en Neurología, Clínica Nuestra Señora de La Paz, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: José Fernando
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Médico especialista en Psiquiatría, Clínica Nuestra Señora de La Paz, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Lina María
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Espejo
keywords: Cortical reflexes; Demencia vascular; Enfermedad mental; Mental Illness; Reflejos corticales; Vascular dementia