What is the primary purpose of using a high-pass filter in EEG recordings?

The primary purpose of using a high-pass filter in EEG recordings is to eliminate low-frequency artifacts. In EEG, artifacts can arise from various sources, including muscle activity, movement, and slow waves that are not related to the brain's electrical activity. Low-frequency noise can interfere with the clarity of the brain signals being recorded, leading to inaccurate interpretations.

By applying a high-pass filter, these low-frequency components are attenuated or removed, thereby allowing the EEG technician to focus on the higher-frequency activities that are more indicative of neural processes. This is particularly important in the analysis of brain wave patterns, as it enhances the quality of the data collected and aids in diagnostic procedures.

In contrast, the other options either address different aspects of EEG recording or are not related to the primary function of a high-pass filter. For example, enhancing delta activity pertains to specific brain wave analysis rather than the filtering process, while reducing baseline shifts generally requires a different approach or filter. Amplifying high-frequency activity does not align with the purpose of a high-pass filter, which is to remove rather than amplify unwanted frequencies.