The consequences of progressive phonological impairment for reading aloud

► The primary systems view predicts phonological deficits undermine nonword reading. ► Assessed this prediction in a case series of progressive nonfluent aphasic patients. ► Worsening impairments to both nonword and exception word reading were observed. ► Nonword and exception word reading predicted by picture naming phonological error rate. ► First demonstration that phonological deficits can undermine exception word reading.