Douglas Scharre, MD
Physician, Professor
Neurology
Make an appointment
614-293-4969
Accepting new patients
Conditions and expertise
- Alzheimer Disease
- Memory Disorders
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Cognitive Neurology
- Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic, Cognitive Disorders
- Frontotemporal Dementia
Locations
- Outpatient Care New Albany
- Neurology
Academics and research
Department: Neurology
About
- Gender
- Male
Biography
I am the medical director of the Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders at The Ohio State University, a clinical researcher, and am a master clinician (Mazzaferri-Ellison Society of Master Clinicians) regarding diagnosis and management of cognitive issues.
As a cognitive and behavioral neurologist, I specialize in diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal lobar degenerations.
Every patient and family deserves to be informed and educated on their medical issues and potential research opportunities. Patients at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center benefit from new discoveries and scientific advances as we strive to provide you with the best possible care.
I have been selected by my peers as one of the “Best Doctors in America” for the last 21 years in a row. Everything I do in research, education and clinical care is focused on improving the lives of patients and caregivers with cognitive disorders and dementia conditions.
Highlights
- Director, Division of Cognitive Neurology
- Medical Director, Neurobehavior and Memory Disorders Clinics
- Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2015, 2017, 2019
- Named to “Best Doctors in America" and “Castle Connolly Top Doctors”
Conditions and expertise
- Alzheimer Disease
- Central Nervous System Diseases
- Cognitive Neurology
- Delirium, Dementia, Amnestic, Cognitive Disorders
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Lewy Body Disease
- Memory Disorders
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Locations
Neurology
in Martha Morehouse Outpatient Care
2050 Kenny Road
Pavilion 3rd Floor Suite 3100
Columbus, OH 43221
Pavilion 3rd Floor Suite 3100
Columbus, OH 43221
614-293-4969
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry
- Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
7/1/1991 - 6/30/1993 - Residency - Neurology
- Letterman Army Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA
7/1/1984 - 6/1/1987 - Internship - Internal Medicine
- William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Fort Bliss, TX, United States
7/1/1983 - 6/30/1984 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC
8/1/1979 - 5/1/1983
Certifications
-
American Heart Association National Center
8/1/2001 -
American Board of Psychiatry & Neurology-Neurology
3/30/1990
Academics and research
I have conducted more than 250 cognitive and dementia related multi-center and investigator-initiated clinical trials funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), by foundations, and by the industry in my career of more than 30 years. These studies have utilized neuroimaging, serum and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, cognitive biomarkers, genetic biomarkers, and cognitive, functional and behavioral scales on mild cognitive impairment, dementia and control subjects. The data from these research subjects who participated in studies at our Ohio State University Memory Disorders Research Center have contributed to over 5,000 research publications.
I am a contributing member of several national research and NIH-supported consortiums including the Alzheimer's Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) group. I have participated in all the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) projects, and I am a member of the steering committee for ADNI. My research center is also designated as one of the funded Lewy Body Dementia Association Research Centers of Excellence, where he currently serves on the clinical management best practices committee.
I have designed and developed both paper and digital versions of the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE), a cognitive assessment instrument designed for identifying individuals in a practical way with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia from any cause and to be sensitive to changes over time. Comprehensive validation was published in 2010 and it was revalidated in a separate European cohort in 2025. Normative data from a community sample of more than 1,000 individuals was published in 2014. Validation of a tablet-based electronic SAGE (BrainTest) was published in 2017. Longitudinal cohort testing for detection of dementia conversion was published in 2021. Declining SAGE scores of 2-3 points indicated a high risk for eventual dementia and this was noted at least six months earlier than changes in the Mini Mental State Examination. Its use in primary care visits was published in 2024. SAGE is available free online for clinical use (www.sage.osu.edu), and BrainTest is available through EPIC for health care systems and online for individual use (https://braintest.com). SAGE has been downloaded over 4 million times.
One current project is my NIH R01 grant exploring the integration of eSAGE (BrainTest) with electronic medical record data using machine learning for the early detection and monitoring of cognitive impairment in individuals including those underserved. Ongoing studies also include therapeutic trials for those with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body disease, behavioral disturbances with dementia, and those at risk for dementia conditions, utilizing medications, gene therapies and devices.
I have studies involved with biofluid banking, genetic testing, and testing for new fluid, imaging and cognitive biomarkers. My future research goals include investigating best practices to collaborate with patients, families and primary care providers to speed up the time from first cognitive complaint to identification of a cognitive issue, diagnosis and then appropriate treatments.
Research interests
- Alzheimer Disease
- Central Nervous System Diseases
- Cognitive Neurology
- Delirium
- Dementia
- Amnestic
- Cognitive Disorders
- Dementia
- Frontotemporal Dementia
- Lewy Body Disease
- Memory Disorders
- Mild Cognitive Impairment
- Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Research Methods
- Case Studies
- Quantitative Research
- Quantitative: Observational Studies
- Quantitative: Randomized control trials (RTCs)
- Quantitative: Surveys and Questionnaires
- Secondary Data Analysis/Real World Data
- Systematic Review and Meta Analysis
Academic information
- Department:
- Neurology
- Division:
- Neurology
More about my research
News and media
My Videos
My news coverage
- Using self-administered cognitive test in primary care offices increased early diagnosis of cognitive disorders by six times
- Self-administered cognition test predicts early signs of dementia sooner
- MedTips: April Awards and Announcements
- Ohio State Study Of Brain Pacemaker Shows Promise In Slowing Decline Of Alzheimer's
- Trial Helps Doctors Tell Lewy Body Dementia From Alzheimer's, Parkinson's
- SAGE Test Useful To Screen For Memory Disorders In Community Settings, Ohio State Study Shows
- Ohio State Implants First Brain Pacemaker To Treat Alzheimer's
- Brain Pacemakers Used to Treat Alzheimer's Disease
Ratings and reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
118 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
Patient Comments
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025 Dr. Scharre has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- Biogen
- Brain Test, Inc.
- Cognition Therapeutics
- Eisai, Inc.
- Eli Lilly and Company
- Novo Nordisk A/S
- Office of the Federal Public Defender
Good
Very caring
The doctor was so wonderful and spent a lot of time with us
Dr Scharre has been very thoughtful and helpful
Good experience
Dr. Scharre Only provides good experiences for his clients. It was a wonderful visit.
Very knowledgeable and relates well to family and patient
Good
Dr. Scharre is simply, the best there is, in every aspect of patient care.
Excellent !
Very attentive, caring, life changing when separated patient while questioning caregiver about patients symptoms so as to not upset the patient out of courtesy and compassion for the both patient and caregiver
Dr.Scharre is the best
First time visit and he made me feel right at ease. Very friendly even while asking questions. Covered a lot of ground discussing my issues
Great job
Dr always takes his time with my husband and answers my concerns. He also returns my calls when I call him
My care provider is very knowledgeable, professional and considerate.
We found Dr Scharre to be exceptional! His mannerisms, communication skills and patience were exemplary. At 78 years old we have seen a lot of medical practitioners in our day and he is at the top of that list!!
Very attentive
My Doctor is very thorough, and a very kind man.
Dr Scharre was phenomenal
Dr. Scharre was outstanding! Clear and concise information, very attentive to my father during this initial visit.
Excellent thoughtful responses to medical.issues.
No bad experiences
Dr. Scharre spent plenty of time going over all items regarding my symptoms, medicines, lack of sleep etc.
No bad experience
Superior
Amazing kind doctor
Dr Schatre made us feel like the only patient he had. Fully attentive, kind, and thorough!
There was no bad experience all good
Good, he was the best!
Doctor was one hour late and while he gave us plenty of time during our appointment, this encounter felt more perfunctory than our initial visit. Maybe he was unprepared, running late, or something else, but it was a lackluster experience for us. It did not seem to us that the "team" had really collaborated on the diagnosis in the way we had imagined.
Excellent
Spent time with me, answered questions and had a good sense of humor.
Dr Scharre is "Gold" we are among the fortunate to have him as our provider - he to totally understands FTD
Good listener - very caring
Thorough and spends time with you
An outstanding first visit with this specialist.
He listens and talks with me like a friend.
Dr. Scharre was the most detailed physician we've ever met.
Displayed genuine interest, concern in addressing all needs and concerns.
He gave me the info I needed, I guess. Unfortunately no new meds, treatments, or even clinical trials for my husband's Alzheimers
Dr Scharre is top notch. His work is his passion and it shows. He takes his time to explain everything we needed to know and shows such compassion. We know we are in the best hands possible.
Dr. Scharre was really excellent. He carefully went through my medical history in My Chart with us. He asked me and my wife several questions about my symptoms. The exam was very thorough. He also very effectively involved the resident physician that was with him in my care, and as he taught her, he taught me and my wife at the same time as well. He was definitive with his diagnosis, engaged me and my wife in choosing the best options for treatment, doing all this with a pleasant, confident, and empathetic bedside manner. His fund of knowledge was quite impressive, and he thoroughly answered all our questions.
Dr. Scharre, At all times, was caring, listening, understanding and knowledgeable. I am so fortunate to have him as my neurologist!
My doctor was very professional, but down to earth. He asked lots of questions and attempted to explain everything in a manner which I could understand. He also gave me numerous options that I had for my situation. He seemed well versed with everything he interacted with me on.
No issues, treated with respect
Also very kind and helpful.
Very informative, willing to listen and explain, presented helpful information
Professional, knowledgeable, understanding, caring, able to discuss serious conditions with tact
Dr. Scharre explained everything very carefully about my condition.
Dr. Scharre is very kind and knowledgeable. I
All was Excellent
Dr. Scharre is the best. Always personable and punctual in completing paperwork.
On the kindest from the door to the floor.
Dr Scharre is the very best- I am very grateful that I am in his care