Cerebral blood flow data during cognitive task execution is measured using a functional near infrared spectroscopy method, then characteristic amount extraction is performed after performing primitive analysis on the measured cerebral blood flow data. Then, by using the extracted characteristic amounts and a pre-built model for employing in determination of cognitive impairment, automatic determination is made into clinical diagnostic groups of normal (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is thereby possible to perform cognitive impairment determination that is suitable for mass early stage screening of elderly people.
