Is there any research or study being conducted in the us on ketamine to relieve major depression, as in the recently published uk study at oxford heal?

Yes: There is currently a clinical trial being conducted by the national institute fro mental health. http://patientinfo.nimh.nih.gov/depressionadult.aspx.

Yes,several.: Several. You obviously read the research at oxford health nhs, one at houston's baylor college of medicine, new york mt. Sinai school of medicine and are the ones that immediately comes to mind. Although it is promising, the long term effects are yet unknown so more research is needed.