How Ohio State's Dr. Scharre is changing the lives of those affected by Alzheimer's
He’s spent his entire adult life searching for answers, helping people with dementia/Alzheimer’s.
“Growing up, I never really had a plan about my future career,” said Dr. Douglas Scharre. “I was curious about the world and wanted to know more about so many things. I decided to go to medical school, as I wanted to be of service to others.”
For the past 30 years, Dr. Scharre has been a clinical neuroscience researcher and behavioral neurologist specializing in the diagnosis and management of cognitive issues. He joined The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center faculty in the department of neurology in 1993.
He’s now director of the division of cognitive neurology, director of The Ohio State University Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders and a professor of clinical neurology and psychiatry.
He was selected by his peers as one of the best doctors in America the past 17 years in a row.
“In medical school,” he said, “I found the brain and neurological sciences the most interesting and the most in need of better understanding and more research. I was most fascinated about brain-behavior connections and decided to do my fellowship in behavioral neurology.
"As a faculty member and the director of the division of cognitive neurology at The Ohio State University for 30 years, I really never dreamed I would have an impact. I did what I was passionate about, with my guiding star on helping patients and caregivers.”
Dr. Scharre developed the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE test), a self-administered objective measure of cognitive abilities, “out of necessity so patients and providers could identify cognitive impairment at the very earliest stages, allowing the most successful treatments to be made available for them.”
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It’s been translated in more than a dozen languages and is currently used throughout the world.
“Dr. Scharre is a beloved and accomplished physician and researcher,” said Vince McGrail, executive director of the Alzheimer’s Association's central-Ohio chapter.
“His work has changed the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias in central Ohio and far beyond.
"His research has helped move our knowledge of this disease forward as we work toward our vision of a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementias.”
“Dr. Scharre,” continued McGrail, “has been a strong community partner with the Alzheimer’sAssociation here in central Ohio, working to drive awareness of this disease and the importance of an early diagnosis.
"He’s helped countless families as they navigate this disease from diagnosis to ongoing care. We’re lucky to have Dr. Scharre in our central-Ohio community.”
“I love what I do,” said Dr. Scharre. “I’m very happy to have played a small part and to have been able to impact the lives of so many folks. There’s a lot of progress and even more hope in the fight against dementia.
"The number of potential viable treatments being studied has greatly increased. I expect over time, the situation will be much more optimistic for patients and families living with these conditions.”
Drew Bracken grew up in Upper Arlington, was a TV news anchor for years and is a longtime freelance writer for Gannett newspapers. If you have a suggestion for a future inspirational profile, email Emily Rohozen, entertainment and things-to-do editor, at erohozen@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Wexner Medical Center doctor devotes life to those with Alzheimer's
