A test of the role of the medial temporal lobe in single-word decoding

► The MTL system was not involved in single word decoding in skilled, native English readers. ► Lexical and non-lexical decoding are implemented by distinct but overlapping neuroanatomical networks. ► Non-lexical decoding appeared most uniquely associated with cuneus and fusiform gyrus activation biased toward the left hemisphere. ► Lexical decoding appeared associated with right middle frontal and supramarginal, and bilateral cerebellar activation. ► In the context of a shared widespread network of activations including bilateral occipital cortex and superior frontal regions