EMD-386088 is an tetrahydropyridinylindole derivative which is used in scientific research. It acts as a potent 5-HT<sub>6</sub> receptor partial agonist, with a K<sub>i</sub> of 1 nM, a significantly higher affinity than older 5-HT<sub>6</sub> agonists such as EMDT, although it possesses moderate affinity for the 5-HT<sub>3</sub> receptor as well. Subsequent research has determined that EMD-386088 is also a dopamine reuptake inhibitor and that this action is involved in the antidepressant-like effects of the drug in rodents.
EMD-386088 can be further reacted with a butyrophenone sidechain.