Methylphenidate to Improve Quality of Life in Patients Undergoing Radiation Therapy for Brain Tumors

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed metastatic brain tumor OR * Histologically confirmed primary brain tumor * Glioblastoma multiforme * Anaplastic astrocytoma * Anaplastic oligodendroglioma * Anaplastic mixed oligoastrocytoma * Low-grade glioma * Meningioma * Ependymoma * Planned external beam cranial radiotherapy (partial or whole brain) with a total dose of at least 25 Gy in at least 10 fractions of 180-300 cGy each PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: * 18 and over Performance status: * Karnofsky 70-100% Life expectancy: * At least 3 months Hematopoietic: * WBC ≥ 1,500/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin ≥ 10.0 g/dL * Platelet count ≥ 75,000/mm\^3 Hepatic: * Not specified Renal: * Not specified Cardiovascular: * No hypertension or other cardiovascular disease requiring antihypertensives and/or other cardiovascular medications Other: * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective contraception * No other serious medical or psychiatric illness that would preclude study participation * No hypersensitivity to study drug * No history of steroid psychosis * No family history of or active Tourette's Syndrome * No prior or active glaucoma PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: * Not specified Chemotherapy: * Prior or concurrent chemotherapy allowed Endocrine therapy: * Concurrent steroids allowed Radiotherapy: * See Disease Characteristics * Prior radiotherapy allowed except to brain (including stereotactic radiosurgery) * No concurrent craniospinal axis radiotherapy Surgery: * Not specified Other: * No prior or concurrent medications for attention deficit disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, or substance abuse * No concurrent anti-depressants