Final answer:
The hippocampus is the part of the brain responsible for associating memories and converting short-term to long-term memory, a process known as memory consolidation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The part of the brain that helps associate memories and convert short-term memories into long-term memories is called the hippocampus. The hippocampus, along with adjacent structures in the medial temporal lobe, is crucial for the consolidation process. This involves transferring new learning and short-term memories into long-term storage. The case of patient HM, who underwent medial temporal lobe resection, demonstrates that the hippocampus is specifically involved in this transitional process, as he retained his ability to form new short-term memories but was unable to establish new long-term ones. While short-term memory is primarily managed by the prefrontal lobe, the hippocampus projects information to cortical regions giving memories meaning and connecting them with other memories, underscoring its vital role in memory consolidation.
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