Troubled popstar Britney Spears was escorted from her Beverly Hills mansion in an ambulance today (31 January) shortly after 1a.m. to UCLA Medical Center, where she is believed to be on a ‘mental health evaluation hold’ on the orders of her psychiatrist.

It has been reported that Britney’s psychiatrist, who works out of UCLA Medical Center, visited her earlier in the evening, and was alarmed at her reckless driving and conduct, and felt her condition had deteriorated. It is alleged that he decided Britney needed to be hospitalized on a 5150 hold, meaning medics have reason to believe she is a danger to herself or others.

Shortly before 1a.m., Police, paramedics and U.S. rangers were seen entering the star’s luxury compound and opening the property’s fire gates late on Wednesday (30Jan08) night. Around 15 minutes later, Britney was taken off the property by ambulance through a side exit.

Britney’s mum, Lynne Spears, who is in L.A. visiting her elder daughter, on-off boyfriend Adnan Ghalib and close friend Sam Lutfi, followed the ambulance and the police units to the medical center. Alli Sims, having turned up 10 minutes before the ambulance arrived, also trailed the police units.

This is the second time in a month Britney is hospitalized for psychiatric evaluation. The 26-year-old was previously admitted to L.A.’s Cedars-Sinai Medical Center earlier this month (03Jan08) after a four hour stand-off with police, and was held for two days.

Update: SplashNewsOnline reports that Britney has now left left the hospital along with her mom Lynne, dad Jamie, as well as Sam Lutfi and Adnan Ghalib.