List the four (4) major groups for the antidepressant medications and the prototype of each one. what are the major differences between the four (4) classes?

Major groups and differences between them:

1- TCA - tricyclic antidepressant- TCA's increase levels of 2 neurotransmitters( norepinephrine and serotonin)in the synapse, that are low in cases of depression. TCA's also block the actions of another neurotransmitter, acetylcholine.
      
  prototypes: amoxapine, imipramine, clomipramine, nortriptyline

2. SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-  prevents reabsorption of serotonin in the synapses, just like TCA's but only for serotonin.

    prototypes:Fluoxetine, Sertraline, Paroxitine

3. MAOI -monoamine oxidase inhibitor-  This class of drug blocks a enzyme (MAO) responsible for destroing the neurotransmitters that are low in the brain in case of depression. This drug will allow more "happy" neurotransmitters to be in the brain, causing less depression.

       prototypes: selegiline, isocarboxazid, phenelzine
 
4. Atypical antidepressant-  In this group there are medications that work in different ways from one another. They change the levels of one or more neurotransmitters, serotonin, dopamine, or norepinephrine
    
Prototypes: Bupropion, Mirtazapine, Trazodone, Vortioxetine

The four main groups of antidepressant medications and the prototypes for each one are as follows: 1. TCA - tricyclic antidepressant 2. SSRI - selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor 3. MAOI -monoamine oxidase inhibitor 4. Atypical antidepressant Major differences include side effects and the way each affects the individual's brain chemistry, which can only be discovered through trial and error.